Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto you in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4 That you mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein you have been instructed.
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judah (Yehudah), a certain priest (kohen) named Zacharias (Zekharyah), of the B46course of Abia (Aviyah); and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron (Aharon), and her name was Elisabeth (Elisheva).
6 And they were both righteous before God (Elohim), walking in all the commandments and ordinances of יהוה blameless.
7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth (Elisheva) was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office (kehunnah) before God (Elohim) in the order of his course,
9 According to the custom of the priest’s office (kehunnah), his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of יהוה.
10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the time of incense.
11 And there appeared unto him an angel of יהוה standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 And when Zacharias (Zekharyah) saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said unto him, “Fear not, Zacharias (Zekharyah); for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elisabeth (Elisheva) shall bear you a son, and you shalt call his name John (Yochanan).
14 And you shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15 For he shall be great in the sight of יהוה, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ruach haQodesh), even from his mother’s womb.
16 And many of the children of Yisrael shall he turn to יהוה their God (YHWH Eloheihem).
17 And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah (Eliyahu), to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for יהוה.” – Mal. 4:5-6, Isa. 40:3
18 And Zacharias (Zekharyah) said unto the angel, “Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.”
19 And the angel answering said unto him, “I am Gavriel, that stand in the presence of God (Elohim); and am sent to speak unto you, and to shew you these glad tidings.
20 And, behold, you shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because you believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
21 And the people waited for Zacharias (Zekharyah), and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth (Elisheva) conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25 “Thus hath יהוה dealt with me in the days wherein He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gavriel was sent from God (Elohim) unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph (Yosef), of the house of Dawid; and the virgin’s name was Mary (Miryam).
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, “Hail, you that art highly favoured, יהוה is with you; blessed are you among women.”
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, “Fear not, Mary (Miryam); for you have found favour with God (Elohim).
31 And, behold, you shalt conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name A1YHWH (Yahwah). – Isa. 7:14, 9:6
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the B47Humanity of the Most High (Elyon) and God (Elohim) יהוה shall give unto Him the throne of His forefather Dawid.
33 And He shall reign over the house of Jacob (Yaaqov) for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.”
34 Then said Mary (Miryam) unto the angel, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, “The Holy Spirit (Ruach haQodesh) shall come upon you, and the power of the Most High (Elyon) shall overshadow you; therefore also that Holy One who shall be born of you shall be called the B47Humanity of El (YHWH).
36 And, behold, your cousin Elisabeth (Elisheva), she hath also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37 For with God (Elohim) nothing shall be impossible.”
38 And Mary (Miryam) said, “Behold the handmaid of יהוה; be it unto me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
39 And Mary (Miryam) arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah (Yehudah);
40 And entered into the house of Zacharias (Zekharyah), and saluted Elisabeth (Elisheva).
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth (Elisheva) heard the salutation of Mary (Miryam), the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth (Elisheva) was filled with the Holy Spirit (Ruach haQodesh).
42 And she spake 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 (Adonai) should come to me?
44 For, behold, as soon as the voice of your salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 And blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from יהוה.”
46 And Mary (Miryam) said, “My soul doth magnify יהוה,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in יהוה (YHWH) my Saviour.
48 For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and His name is holy.
50 And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.
51 He hath shewed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.
54 He hath helped His servant Yisrael, in remembrance of His mercy;
55 As He spake to our fathers, to Avraham, and to His seed for ever.”
56 And Mary (Miryam) abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
57 Now Elisabeth (Elisheva)’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how יהוה had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias (Zekharyah), after the name of his father.
60 And his mother answered and said, “Not so; but he shall be called John (Yochanan).”
61 And they said unto her, “There is none of your kindred that is called by this name.”
62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, “His name is John (Yochanan).” And they marvelled all.
64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God (Elohim, יהוה (YHWH)).
65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them; and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judah (Yehudah).
66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What manner of child shall this be?” And the hand of יהוה was with him.
67 And his father Zacharias (Zekharyah) was filled with the Holy Spirit (Ruach haQodesh), and prophesied, saying,
68 “Blessed be יהוה God (Elohim) of Yisrael; for He hath visited and redeemed His people,
69 And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant Dawid; – Psa. 132:17
70 As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began;
71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; – Lev. 26:42
73 The oath which He sware to our father Avraham,
74 That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life.
76 And you, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High; for you shalt go before the face of יהוה (YHWH) to prepare His ways; – Isa.40:3
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God (Elohim); whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Yisrael.