NSB(i)
35 The angel replied: »Holy Spirit would come to you and the power of the Most High will envelope you. Because of this the newborn will be called the Son of God.«
36 »Your relative Elisabeth has also conceived a son even in her old age. This so-called barren woman is in her sixth month.
37 »When God speaks, these things are possible.«
38 Mary said: »Look, Jehovah’s servant. Let it happen to me as you spoke.« The angel departed from her. (1 Samuel 1:11)
39 Mary traveled with haste to the city of Judah in the hill country.
40 She entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elisabeth.
41 When Elisabeth heard the greeting from Mary, the babe leaped in her womb. Elisabeth was filled with Holy Spirit.
42 She shouted loudly: »Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!«
43 »How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 »When I heard your greeting the baby leaped in my womb for joy.
45 »Blessed is she that believes. That which God spoke will be fulfilled.«
46 Mary said: »My life magnifies Jehovah my God. (1 Samuel 2:1)
47 »My heart and mind rejoice in God my Savior.
48 »He has looked on the low position of his servant. All generations from now on will call me blessed.
49 »He that is mighty has done great things to me. Holy is his name.
50 »His mercy is to all generations for all who respect him.
51 »He shows strength with his arm. He scatters the proud in the thoughts of their heart.
52 »He removes rulers from their thrones and exalts the humble.
53 »He fills the hungry with good things and sends the rich away empty handed.
54 »He has helped Israel his servant that he might remember mercy.
55 »He spoke to our fathers. To Abraham and his seed forever.«
56 Mary stayed with Elisabeth about three months, and returned to her house.
57 Now it was time for Elisabeth to give birth. She gave birth to a son.
58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that Jehovah magnified his mercy towards her; and they rejoiced with her.
59 On the eighth day they circumcised the child. They planned to call him Zechariah, after the name of the father.
60 His mother spoke up and said: »He shall be called John.«
61 They all said: »None of your relatives are called by this name.«
62 They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.
63 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, »His name is John.« They were all amazed.
64 Immediately his tongue loosed, his mouth opened and he spoke, blessing God.
65 Everyone nearby was in fear. These accounts spread abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea.
66 All that heard them wondered in their heart, saying, »What will this child be? For the hand of Jehovah was with him.«
67 His father Zechariah was filled with Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,
68 »Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel. He has visited his people and brought them redemption. (Psalm 72:18)
69 »He raised up a horn of salvation (power of deliverance) for us in the house of his servant David
70 »He spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from ages past.
71 »He provided salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us.
72 »He shows mercy towards our fathers and remembers his holy covenant.
73 »It was the oath he spoke to Abraham our father.
74 »He gave us deliverance out of the hand of our enemies so we could serve him without fear.
75 »May we serve in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 »Your child will be called the prophet of the Most High. You will go in advance of Jehovah God to make his ways ready. (Malachi 3:1)
77 »To give knowledge of salvation to his people in the remission of their sins.
78 »A rising of light will visit us from on high because of the tender mercy of our God.
79 »The light will shine on them who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. It will guide our feet into the way of peace.«
80 The child grew and became spiritually strong. He lived in the deserts till the time came to show himself to Israel.