Luke 1 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

Since [as is well known] many have undertaken to compile an orderly account of the things which have been fulfilled among us [by God],

In the days of Herod [the Great], king of Judea, there was a certain priest whose name was [fn]Zacharias, of [fn]the division of Abijah. His wife was [fn]a descendant of Aaron [the first high priest of Israel], and her name was Elizabeth.

Now it happened while Zacharias was serving as priest before God in the appointed order of his priestly division,

And Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in age.”

The people [outside in the court] were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering about his long delay in the temple.

Now after this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she secluded herself completely, saying,

Now in the sixth month [of Elizabeth’s pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,

Now at this time Mary arose and hurried to the hill country, to a city of Judah (Judea),

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord,

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

“For He has looked [with loving care] on the humble state of His maidservant;

For behold, from now on all generations will count me blessed and happy and favored by God!

“For He who is mighty has done great things for me;

And holy is His name [to be worshiped in His purity, majesty, and glory].

“AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION

TOWARD THOSE WHO [stand in great awe of God and] FEAR HIM.

“He has done mighty deeds with His [powerful] arm;

He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.

“He has brought down rulers from their thrones,

And exalted those who were humble.

“HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS;

And sent the rich away empty-handed.

“He has helped His servant Israel,

In remembrance of His mercy,

Just as He promised to our fathers,

To Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

And Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, and then returned to her home.

Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son.

It happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child [as required by the Law], and they intended to name him Zacharias, after his father;

Now Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him, and he prophesied, saying,

“Blessed (praised, glorified) be the Lord, the God of Israel,

Because He has visited us and brought redemption to His people,

And He has raised up a [fn]horn of salvation [a mighty and valiant Savior] for us

In the house of David His servant—

Just as He promised by the mouth of His holy prophets from the most ancient times—

Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES,

And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US;

To show mercy [as He promised] to our fathers,

And to remember His holy covenant [the promised blessing],

The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,

To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,

Might serve Him without fear,

In holiness [being set apart] and righteousness [being upright] before Him all our days.

“And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;

For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD (the Messiah) TO PREPARE HIS WAYS;

To give His people the knowledge of salvation

By the forgiveness of their sins,

Because of the tender mercy of our God,

With which the Sunrise (the Messiah) from on high will dawn and visit us,

TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH,

To guide our feet [in a straight line] into the way of peace and serenity.”

The child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel [as John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah].