And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, 'Blessed art thou among women, and blessed 'is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is 'this to me, that the mother of my Lord 'should come to me? For lo, as soon as 'the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine 'ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 'And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."

And Mary said,

'My soul doth magnify the Lord,

and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my 'Saviour.

'For he hath regarded the low estate of his ' handmaiden:

'for behold, from henceforth all generations 'shall call me blessed.

'For he that is mighty hath done to me 'great things;

' and holy is his name.

'And his mercy is on them that fear him, 'from generation to generation.

'He hath shewed strength with his arm; 'he hath scattered the proud in the imagi'nation of their hearts.

'He hath put down the mighty from their 'seats, and exalted them of low degree. 'He hath filled the hungry with good things; ' and the rich he hath sent empty

away.

'He hath holpen his servant Israel,

' in remembrance of his mercy;

'As he spake to our fathers,

'to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.'

And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, 'Not so; 'but he shall be called John.'

And they said unto her, 'There is none of 'thy kindred that is called by this name.'

And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a

writing table, and wrote, saying, 'His name ' is John.'

And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, 'What manner of child shall this 'be!'

And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

'Blessed be the Lord God of Israel;

'for he hath visited and redeemed his 'people,

'And hath raised up an horn of salvation 'for us

' in the house of his servant David;

'As he spake by the mouth of his holy 'prophets, which have been since the 'world began:

'that we should be saved from our ene'mies, and from the hand of all that

'hate us;

To perform the mercy promised to

'fathers,

' and to remember his holy covenant;

'The oath which he sware to our father 'Abraham,

'that he would grant unto us, that we 'being delivered out of the hand of · our enemies

'Might serve him without fear, in holiness ' and righteousness

'before him, all the days of our life.

And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet ' of the Highest :

for thou shalt go before the face of the 'Lord to prepare his

ways;

To give knowledge of salvation unto his 'people,

'by the remission of their sins,

Through the tender mercy of our God;
'whereby the dayspring from on high hath
'visited us,

'To give light to them that sit in darkness ' and in the shadow of death,

'to guide our feet into the way of

'peace.'

And the child grew,

and waxed strong in

spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus,

that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David: to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring you ' good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is 'Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign 'unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.'

And suddenly there was with the angel a