Luke 1
1
Luke Writes to Theophilus
1Many have attempted to write about what had taken place among us. 2They received their information from those who had been eyewitnesses and servants of God’s word from the beginning, and they passed it on to us. 3I, too, have followed everything closely from the beginning. So I thought it would be a good idea to write an orderly account for Your Excellency, Theophilus. 4In this way you will know that what you’ve been told is true.
The Angel Gabriel Appears to Zechariah
5When Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the division of priests named after Abijah. Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. 6Zechariah and Elizabeth had God’s approval. They followed all the Lord’s commands and regulations perfectly. 7Yet, they never had any children because Elizabeth couldn’t become pregnant. Both of them were too old to have children.
8Zechariah was on duty with his division of priests. As he served in God’s presence, 9he was chosen by priestly custom to go into the Lord’s temple to burn incense. 10All the people were praying outside while he was burning incense.
11Then, to the right of the incense altar, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. 12Zechariah was troubled and overcome with fear.
13The angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son, and you will name him John. 14He will be your pride and joy, and many people will be glad that he was born. 15As far as the Lord is concerned, he will be a great man. He will never drink wine or any other liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16He will bring many people in Israel back to the Lord their God. 17He will go ahead of the Lord with the spirit and power that Elijah had. He will change parents’ attitudes toward their children. He will change disobedient people so that they will accept the wisdom of those who have God’s approval. In this way he will prepare the people for their Lord.”
18Zechariah said to the angel, “What proof is there for this? I’m an old man, and my wife is beyond her childbearing years.”
19The angel answered him, “I’m Gabriel! I stand in God’s presence. God sent me to tell you this good news. 20But because you didn’t believe what I said, you will be unable to talk until the day this happens. Everything will come true at the right time.”
21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah. They were amazed that he was staying in the temple so long. 22When he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. So they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. He motioned to them but remained unable to talk.
23When the days of his service were over, he went home. 24Later, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and didn’t go out in public for five months. She said, 25“The Lord has done this for me now. He has removed my public disgrace.”
The Angel Gabriel Comes to Mary
26Six months after Elizabeth had become pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee. 27The angel went to a virgin promised in marriage to a descendant of David named Joseph. The virgin’s name was Mary.
28When the angel entered her home, he greeted her and said, “You are favored by the Lord! The Lord is with you.”
29She was startled by what the angel said and tried to figure out what this greeting meant.
30The angel told her,
“Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor #1:30 Or “grace.” with God.
31You will become pregnant, give birth to a son,
and name him Jesus.
32He will be a great man
and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him
the throne of his ancestor David.
33Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever,
and his kingdom will never end.”
34Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? I’m a virgin.”
35The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God.
36“Elizabeth, your relative, is six months pregnant with a son in her old age. People said she couldn’t have a child. 37But nothing is impossible for God.”
38Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.”
Then the angel left her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39Soon afterward, Mary hurried to a city in the mountain region of Judah. 40She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.
41When Elizabeth heard the greeting, she felt the baby kick. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42She said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child that you will have. 43I feel blessed that the mother of my Lord is visiting me. 44As soon as I heard your greeting, I felt the baby jump for joy. 45You are blessed for believing that the Lord would keep his promise to you.”
Mary Praises God
46Mary said,
“My soul praises the Lord’s greatness!
47My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior,
48because he has looked favorably on me, his humble servant.
“From now on, all people will call me blessed
49because the Almighty has done great things to me.
His name is holy.
50For those who fear him,
his mercy lasts throughout every generation.
51“He displayed his mighty power.
He scattered those who think too highly of themselves.
52He pulled strong rulers from their thrones.
He honored humble people.
53He fed hungry people with good food.
He sent rich people away with nothing.
54“He remembered to help his servant Israel forever.
55This is the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his descendants.”
56Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.
John Is Born
57When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very kind to her, and they shared her joy.
59When the child was eight days old, they went ⌞to the temple⌟ to circumcise him. They were going to name him Zechariah after his father. 60But his mother spoke up, “Absolutely not! His name will be John.”
61Their friends said to her, “But you don’t have any relatives with that name.”
62So they motioned to the baby’s father to see what he wanted to name the child. 63Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” Everyone was amazed.
64Suddenly, Zechariah was able to speak, and he began to praise God.
65All their neighbors were filled with awe. Throughout the mountain region of Judea, people talked about everything that had happened. 66Everyone who heard about it seriously thought it over and asked, “What does the future hold for this child?” It was clear that the Lord was with him.
67His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,
68“Praise the Lord God of Israel!
He has come to take care of his people
and to set them free.
69He has raised up a mighty Savior for us
in the family of his servant David.
70He made this promise through his holy prophets long ago.
71He promised to save us from our enemies
and from the power of all who hate us.
72He has shown his mercy to our ancestors
and remembered his holy promise,#1:72 Or “covenant.”
73the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham.
74He promised to rescue us from our enemies’ power
so that we could serve him without fear
75by being holy and honorable as long as we live.
76“You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High.
You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way.
77You will make his people know that they can be saved
through the forgiveness of their sins.
78A new day will dawn on us from above
because our God is loving and merciful.
79He will give light to those who live in the dark
and in death’s shadow.
He will guide us into the way of peace.”
80The child John grew and became spiritually strong. He lived in the desert until the day he appeared to the people of Israel.
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Luke 1: GW
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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Lukas 1
1
1Vibahlt (since) many Messianic Sofrim have attempted to compile a sefer, a historical narrative, about the momentous events that have been fulfilled among us,
2Just as these#1:2 massoret haShluchim have been handed down to us by those who from HaReshit#1:2 of the Besuras HaGeulah were edei reiyah (eyewitnesses) and mesharetim (ministers) of the Dvar Hashem,
3I thought it expedient also, having done an iyun (investigative research), accurately and carefully being meayen (engaged in research) in every source and making a medakdeke (pain-stakingly thorough) investigation of every aspect from HaReshit (the Beginning), to write for you and to mesader (arrange, place in succession) an orderly account, most noble Theophilus,
4That you may have daas of HaEmes regarding the Divrei Moshiach about which you took shiurim (lessons).
5At the time of Herod king of Yehudah, there was a certain kohen by the name Zecharyah, who belonged to the Aviyah division. His isha was of the banot Aharon, name of Elisheva.#1:5 1Chr 24:10
6And they were both tzaddikim before Hashem, walking a derech tamim in all the mitzvos and chukkim of the Torah of Adoneinu.#1:6 Gn 6:9; Dt 5:33; 1Kgs 9:4
7But they had no ben, because Elisheva was barren, and they were both advanced in their yamim.
8And it came to pass in the performance of his avodas kodesh sherut as a kohen before Hashem in the appointed order of his division,#1:8 1Chr 24:19; 2Chr 8:14
9According to the minhag (custom) of the kehunah, Zecharyah was chosen by lot to enter the Beis Hamikdash and to offer ketoret (incense).#1:9 Ex 30:7,8; 1Chr 23:13; 2Chr 29:11; Ps 141:2
10And when the hour of the offering of the ketoret came, all the multitude were davening outside.#1:10 Lv 16:17
11And there appeared to Zecharyah a malach Hashem, standing on the right side of the Mizbeach of ketoret.#1:11 Ex 30:1-10
12And, seeing the malach, Zecharyah was terrified, and pachad (fear) fell on him.#1:12 Judg 6:22,23; 13:22
13But the malach said to him, Do not have pachad (fear), Zecharyah. Your tefillah (prayer) was heard and your isha, Elisheva, will bear a ben to you and you will call his shem Yochanan.
14And he will be a simcha to you and sasson (joy), and there will be sasson rav (great joy) at his huledet (birth).
15And he will be gadol before Hashem, and he will not drink yayin or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Ruach Hakodesh from the womb of his Em (mother),#1:15 Num 6:3; Lv 10:9; Judg 13:4; Jer 1:5
16And many of the Bnei Yisroel he will turn back in teshuva to Hashem Eloheihem.
17And he will go forth before Adonoi in the ruach (spirit) and koach (power) of Eliyahu HaNavi, VEHESHIV LEV AVOT AL BANIM (And he will turn the heart of the fathers to the children)#1:17 Mal 4:6 [Mal 3:24] and those without mishmaat (obedience) he will turn to the chochmah of the tzaddikim to prepare for Adonoi an Am (People) having been made ready.#1:17 Mal 4:5,6
18And Zecharyah said to the malach, Just how will I have daas that this is so? For I am old and my isha is advanced in her yamim (days).#1:18 Gn 15:8; 17:17
19And in reply, the malach said to Zecharyah, I am Gavriel, I stand before Hashem. And I was sent to speak to you and to announce these things to you.#1:19 Dan 8:16; 9:21
20And hinei! You will be illem (mute) and not be able to speak, until the yom (day) when these things come to pass, because you did not have emunah in my devarim (words), which will be fulfilled in their time.#1:20 Ex 4:11; Ezek 3:26
21And the people were expecting Zecharyah and they were bewildered at his delay in the Beis HaMikdash.
22And when he came out, he was illem (mute) and not able to speak to them, and they had daas that he had seen a chazon in the Heikhal. He kept motioning to them and he remained illem.
23And it came about as the yamim of his sherut (service in the Beis HaMikdash) as a kohen were fulfilled, he went to his bais (house).
24And after these yamim, Elisheva, his isha, became with child, and she kept herself in hitbodedut for chamesh chodashim, saying,
25 Hashem has done this for me. In these yamim he looked with Chen vChesed (favor and mercy, loving kindness) on me to take away my reproach among Bnei Adam.#1:25 Gn 30:23; Isa 4:1
26Now in the chodesh shishi the malach Gavriel was sent from Hashem to a shtetl in the Galil called Natzeret,
27To a betulah (virgin) given in erusin (betrothal, engagement) to an ish from the Beis Dovid named Yosef,#1:27 ben Dovid and the shem of the almah was Miryam.
28And when the malach approached her, he said, Shalom, favored one! Hashem is with you!
29But she was greatly perplexed at the message, and kept pondering what sort of Shalom greeting this might be.
30And the malach said to her, Do not have pachad (fear), Miryam, for you have found chen before Hashem.
31And in your womb you will conceive and bear BEN#1:31 Isa 7:14 and you will call SHMO YEHOSHUA.#1:31 Zech 6:11-12
32He will be gadol (great) and will be called Ben HaElyon (Son of the Most High). Adonoi Elohim will give him the kisse Dovid Aviv,
33And he will rule over the Beis Ya'akov Olam vaed, and his Malchut will never come to an end.#1:33 2Sm 7:16; Ps 89:3,4; Isa 9:7; Jer 33:17; Dan 2:44; 7:14,27; Mic 4:7
34But Miryam said to the malach, How will this be, vi-bahlt (since) I do not have daas of an ish?
35And in reply, the malach said to her, The Ruach Hakodesh will come upon you and the gevurah of HaElyon will overshadow you. Therefore, also, the one being born will be called HaKadosh (The Holy One), Ben HaElohim.
36And Elisheva your krovah also has conceived a ben in her old age, and this chodesh is hashishi (the sixth) for her who is called barren.
37For nothing will be impossible with Hashem.
38And Miryam said, Hinei! I am the shifcha of Hashem. May it be done to me according to your dvar. And the malach departed from her.
39And in those yamim, Miryam got up and traveled into the hill country with haste to a shtetl of Yehudah.
40And she entered into the bais of Zecharyah and gave Birkat Shalom greetings to Elisheva.
41And it came about, when Elisheva heard the Birkat Shalom of Miryam, the yeled leaped in Elishevaʼs womb, and she was filled with the Ruach Hakodesh.
42And Elisheva cried out with a kol gadol (loud voice) and said, Brucha at miNashim (Blessed art thou among women), and baruch (blessed is) the pri (fruit) of your womb!#1:42 Judg 5:24
43And why has this happened to me that the Em Adoni should come to me?
44For hinei! When the sound of your Birkat Shalom came into my ears, the yeled leaped with simcha in my womb.
45And ashrey is the one having had emunah that there will be a fulfillment to the things having been spoken to Miryam by Hashem.
46And Miryam said, My soul doth magnify Hashem.#1:46 Ps 34:2,3
47ALATZ LIBI BA'HASHEM#1:47 1Sm 2:1 (My heart rejoices in Hashem) and my neshamah exalts in Hashem Yishi#1:47 Hab 3:18 (G-d my Savior, Moshi'a),#1:47 Ps 18:46; Isa 17:10; 61:10
48For HASHEM VISHAFAL YIREH#1:48 Ps 138:6 looked upon the humble state of His shifcha (bond maid), for from now on kol hadorot ishruni#1:48 Gn 30:13 (all generations will call me happy),
49For Shaddai (the Almighty) did gedolot for me and Kadosh is Shmo,#1:49 Ps 111:9
50And the chesed of Hashem is DOR VDOR#1:50 Ps 100:5 to those with yirat Shomayim.#1:50 Ex 20:6; Ps 103:17
51 Hashem has done niflaot (wonders) with his zeroa (arm).#1:51 Isa 53:1 He scattered those who in the machshavot (thoughts) of their levavot are the Gaayonim (the Haughty ones).
52He brought down shalitim (rulers) from their kisot (thrones) and lifted up the Anavim (Humble),
53The ones hungering, Hashem made full of tov, and the ashirim he sent away empty.#1:53 Ps 107:9
54 Hashem helped his servant Yisroel, in remembrance of his rachamim (mercy),
55Just as Hashem spoke to Avoteinu, to Avraham Avinu and his Zera ad Olam.
56And Miryam remained with Elisheva about shlosha chodashim, and then Miryam returned to her bais.
57Now when the time of Elisheva to give birth was fulfilled, she bore a ben.
58And Elishevaʼs shchenim (neighbors) and krovim (relatives) heard that Adoneinu greatly demonstrated his rachamim to her, and they had much simcha with her.
59And it came about on the yom hashemini (the eighth day) they came for the bris milah of the yeled, and they were calling him by the name of his abba, Zecharyah.
60And in reply, his Em said: Lo, but he will be called Yochanan.
61And they said to her, There is no one from your krovim who is called by this shem.
62And they began motioning to the yeledʼs abba to find out what shem he wanted to give him.
63And having asked for a luach (tablet), Zecharyah wrote, saying, Yochanan shmo. And everyone was amazed.
64And Zecharyahʼs mouth was loosed at once and the lashon of him, and he began speaking, saying Baruch Hashem!
65And upon all their shchenim (neighbors) came much yirat Shomayim, and in the entire hill country of Yehudah everyone was shmoozing about these matters.
66All who heard these things pondered them in their levavot, saying, What then will this yeled become? For, indeed, the yad Hashem was on him.#1:66 Gn 39:2
67And Zecharyah, his abba, was filled with the Ruach Hakodesh and brought forth a dvar nevuah, saying,
68BARUCH HASHEM ELOHEI YISROEL, for Adonoi has visited his Am Berit and accomplished a pedut kofer ransom for the Geulah of his people.
69And Hashem raised up a Keren Yeshu'ah (Horn of Salvation), a mighty Moshia, for us in the Beis Dovid, His eved,
70Just as Hashem spoke through the mouth of His neviim hakedoshim meOlam (holy prophets from long ago),#1:70 Jer 23:5
71That we should have Yeshu'at Eloheinu from our oyvim (enemies) and from the hand of all the ones who regard us with sinas chinom (baseless hatred).
72Thus Hashem has demonstrated his rachamim (mercy) to Avoteinu (our Fathers) and has remembered his Brit HaKodesh (Holy Covenant),#1:72 Mic 7:20; Ps 105:8,9; 106:45; Ezek 16:60
73The Brit HaShevu'ah (the Covenant of the oath) which He swore to Avraham Avinu to grant us,#1:73 Gn 22:16-18
74Having been delivered from the yad haoyvim (hand of enemies) of us to serve Hashem fearlessly,
75In kedushah (holiness) and tzedek (righteousness) before Him all our yamim (days).
76And you also, yeled (child), will be called Navi HaElyon (Prophet of the Most High); for you will go LIFNEI HAADON (before the L-rd) to prepare the DERECH HASHEM (The Way of the L-rd),#1:76 Mal 3:1; Isa 40:3
77To give daas (knowledge) of Yeshu'at Eloheinu (the Salvation of our G-d) to Hashemʼs Am Berit (People of the Covenant) by the selichat (forgiveness) of their avon (sin),#1:77 Jer 31:34
78Through the rav rachamim of Eloheinu (through the great mercy of our G-d), by which has visited us the rising SHEMESH (Sun)#1:78 Moshiach from Shomayim,#1:78 Mal 4:2 [ 3:20]
79To appear to the ones in CHOSHECH (darkness) and YOSHVEI BERETZ TZALMAVET (sitting in the land of the shadow of death), to direct our feet into the Derech Shalom.#1:79 Ps 107:14; Isa 9:1-2; 59:9
80And the yeled was growing and was being given chizzuk (strengthening) in the Ruach Hakodesh, and Yochanan was in the desolate places until the day of his hisgalus (revelation, manifestation) to Yisroel.
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