CLV(i)
1 Since, in fact, even many take in hand to compose a narrative concerning the matters of which we are fully assured among ourselves,
2 according as those who, from the beginning coming to be eyewitnesses and deputies of the word,
3 give them over to us, it seems good to me also, having fully followed all accurately from the very first, to write to you consecutively, most mighty Theophilus,
4 that you may be recognizing the certainty of the words concerning which you were instructed.
5 There came to be, in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zechariah, of the routine of Abiah, and his wife, of the daughters of Aaron, and her name is Elizabeth."
6 Now they were both just in front of God, going in all the precepts and just statutes of the Lord, blameless."
7 And no child was theirs, forasmuch as Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in their days."
8 Now it occurred, in his doing the priestly duties in the order of his routine in front of God,
9 according to the custom of the priestly office, he chanced to burn incense, entering into the temple of the Lord."
10 And the entire multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.
11 Now there was seen by him a messenger of the Lord, standing at the right of the altar of incense."
12 And disturbed was Zechariah at perceiving it, and fear fell on him."
13 Now the messenger said to him, "Fear not, Zechariah, because hearkened to is your petition, and your wife Elizabeth shall be bearing you a son, and you shall be calling his name John."
14 And there will be joy for you, and exultation, and many shall be rejoicing at his birth,
15 for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord. And wine and intoxicant may he under no circumstances be drinking, and with holy spirit shall he be filled while still of his mother's womb."
16 And many of the sons of Israel shall he be turning back to the Lord their God.
17 And he shall be coming before in His sight in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn back the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the stubborn to the prudence of the just, to make ready a people formed for the Lord."
18 And Zechariah said to the messenger, "By what shall I know this? For I am aged, and my wife is advanced in her days."
19 And answering, the messenger said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands before God, and I was dispatched to speak to you and to bring you this evangel."
20 And lo! silent shall you be and not able to speak until the day on which these things may be occurring, because you do not believe my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season."
21 And the people were hoping for Zechariah, and they marveled at his delaying in the temple."
22 Yet, on coming out, he was not able to speak to them, and they recognize that he has seen an apparition in the temple. And he was motioning to them and continued to be mute."
23 And it occurred, as the days of his ministry are fulfilled, that he came away into his home."
24 Now after these days Elizabeth, his wife, conceived."
25 And she kept herself close five months, saying that "Thus has the Lord done to me, in the days in which He took notice to eliminate my reproach among men."
26 Now in the sixth month, the messenger Gabriel was dispatched from God to a city of Galilee, which is named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin, espoused to a man whose name is Joseph, of the house and kindred of David. And the name of the virgin is Miriam."
28 And, entering to her, the messenger said, "Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you, you blessed among women!"
29 Now she, perceiving it, was agitated at his word, and she reasoned what manner of salutation this may be."
30 And the messenger said to her, "Fear not, Miriam, for you found favor with God. "
31 And lo! you shall be conceiving and be pregnant and be bringing forth a Son, and you shall be calling His name Jesus."
32 He shall be great, and Son of the Most High shall He be called. And the Lord God shall be giving Him the throne of David,
33 His father, and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for the eons. And of His kingdom there shall be no consummation."
34 Yet Miriam said to the messenger, "How shall this be, since I know not a man?
35 And answering, the messenger said to her, "Holy spirit shall be coming on you, and the power of the Most High shall be overshadowing you; wherefore also the holy One Who is being generated shall be called the Son of God."
36 And lo! Elizabeth, your relative, she also has conceived a son in her decrepitude, and this is the sixth month with her who is called barren,
37 seeing that it will not be impossible with God to fulfill His every declaration."
38 Now Miriam said, "Lo! the slave of the Lord! May it come to be with me according to your declaration! And the messenger came away from her."
39 Now in these days, Miriam, rising, went with diligence into the mountainous region, into a city of Judah."
40 And she entered into the house of Zechariah, and salutes Elizabeth."
41 And it occurred, as Elizabeth hears the salutation of Mary, the babe jumps in her womb, and Elizabeth is filled with holy spirit,
42 and she shouts out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!"
43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord may be coming to me?
44 For Lo! as the sound of your salutation came into my ears, the babe jumps with exultation in my womb."
45 And happy is she who believes, seeing that there shall be a maturing of that which has been spoken to her by the Lord!"
46 And Miriam said, "My soul is magnifying the Lord,
47 And my spirit exults in God my Saviour,
48 For He looks on the humiliation of His slave. For lo! from now on all generations will count me happy,
49 For the Powerful One does great things for me, and holy is His name,
50 And His mercy is for generations and generations To those fearing Him.
51 He does mightily with His arm, He scatters the proud in the comprehension of their hearts,
52 He pulls down potentates from thrones, And exalts the humble."
53 The hungry He fills with good things, And the rich He sends away empty."
54 He supported Israel, His boy, To be reminded of mercy"
55 (According as He speaks to our fathers) To Abraham and to his seed, for the eon."
56 Now Miriam remains with her about three months, and returns to her home."
57 Now Elizabeth's time is fulfilled for her to be bringing forth, and she bears a son. "
58 And the homes about and her relatives hear that the Lord magnifies His mercy with her, and they rejoiced together with her."
59 And it occurred on the eighth day, they came to circumcise the little boy, and they called him by the name of his father, Zechariah."
60 And answering, his mother said, "No! But he shall be called John."
61 And they said to her that "Not one is there of your relationship who is called by this name."
62 Now they nodded to his father, what he should be wanting him to be called."
63 And requesting a tablet, he writes, saying, "John is his name.And they all marvel."
64 Now, opened was his mouth instantly, and his tongue, and he spoke, blessing God."
65 And fear came on all who home about them, and in the whole mountainous region of Judea all these declarations were spoken about."
66 And all who hear pondered in their hearts, saying, "What, consequently, will this little boy be?For the hand also of the Lord was with him."
67 And Zechariah, his father, is filled with holy spirit and prophesies, saying,
68 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, For He visits, and makes a redemption for His people,
69 And rouses a horn of salvation for us In the house of David, His boy,
70 According as He speaks through the mouth of His holy prophets, who are from the eon; "
71 Salvation from our enemies, And out of the hand of all those who are hating us,
72 To do mercy with our fathers, And to be reminded of His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swears to Abraham our father,
74 To grant to us, being rescued out of the hand of our enemies, To be fearlessly offering divine service to Him"
75 In benignity and righteousness in His sight all our days.
76 Now you, also, little boy, a prophet of the Most High shall be called, For you shall be going before in the sight of the Lord To make ready His roads,
77 To give the knowledge of salvation to His people In the pardon of their sins,
78 Because of the merciful compassions of our God, In which the Dayspring from on high visits us,
79 To make Its advent to those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, To direct our feet into the path of peace."
80 Now the little boy grows up and was staunch in spirit and was in the wilderness till the day of his indication to Israel.