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Luke 1 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Luke 1 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/luke/1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmcc/luke/1-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com/catholic">Bible</a> > <a href="../">NRSVCE</a> > Luke 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../mark/16.htm" title="Mark 16">◄</a> Luke 1 <a href="../luke/2.htm" title="Luke 2">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition</td><td width="1%" valign="top"></td></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><div class="text-html"> <h3><span id="en" class="text">Dedication to Theophilus</span></h3><p class="chapter-1"><span class="text"><span class="versenum">1</span>Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">2</span>just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">3</span>I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first,<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-29161a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote a">a</a>]</span> to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">4</span>so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.</span></p> <h3><span id="en" class="text">The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold</span></h3><p><span class="text"><span class="versenum">5</span>In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">6</span>Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">7</span>But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.</span></p> <p><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">8</span>Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">9</span>he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">10</span>Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">11</span>Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">12</span>When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">13</span>But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">14</span>You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">15</span>for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">16</span>He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">17</span>With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">18</span>Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">19</span>The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">20</span>But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”</span></p> <p><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">21</span>Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">22</span>When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">23</span>When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.</span></p> <p><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">24</span>After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">25</span>“This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”</span></p> <h3><span id="en" class="text">The Birth of Jesus Foretold</span></h3><p><span class="text"><span class="versenum">26</span>In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">27</span>to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">28</span>And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-29186b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote b">b</a>]</span> </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">29</span>But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">30</span>The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">31</span>And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">32</span>He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">33</span>He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">34</span>Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-29192c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote c">c</a>]</span> </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">35</span>The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-29193d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote d">d</a>]</span> will be holy; he will be called Son of God. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">36</span>And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">37</span>For nothing will be impossible with God.” </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">38</span>Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.</span></p> <h3><span id="en" class="text">Mary Visits Elizabeth</span></h3><p><span class="text"><span class="versenum">39</span>In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">40</span>where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">41</span>When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">42</span>and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">43</span>And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">44</span>For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">45</span>And blessed is she who believed that there would be<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-29203e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote e">e</a>]</span> a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”</span></p> <h3><span id="en" class="text">Mary’s Song of Praise</span></h3><p><span class="text"><span class="versenum">46</span>And Mary<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-29204f" title="See footnote f">f</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote f">f</a>]</span> said,</span></p><div class="poetry"><p class="line"><span class="text">“My soul magnifies the Lord,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">47</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span>and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">48</span>for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">49</span>for the Mighty One has done great things for me,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and holy is his name.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">50</span>His mercy is for those who fear him</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">from generation to generation.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">51</span>He has shown strength with his arm;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">52</span>He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and lifted up the lowly;</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">53</span>he has filled the hungry with good things,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and sent the rich away empty.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">54</span>He has helped his servant Israel,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">in remembrance of his mercy,</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">55</span>according to the promise he made to our ancestors,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”</span></span></p></div> <p><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">56</span>And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.</span></p> <h3><span id="en" class="text">The Birth of John the Baptist</span></h3><p><span class="text"><span class="versenum">57</span>Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">58</span>Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.</span></p> <p><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">59</span>On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">60</span>But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">61</span>They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">62</span>Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">63</span>He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">64</span>Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">65</span>Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">66</span>All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.</span></p> <h3><span id="en" class="text">Zechariah’s Prophecy</span></h3><p><span class="text"><span class="versenum">67</span>Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:</span></p> <div class="poetry"><p class="line"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">68</span>“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">69</span>He has raised up a mighty savior<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-29227g" title="See footnote g">g</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote g">g</a>]</span> for us</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">in the house of his servant David,</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">70</span>as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">71</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span>that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">72</span>Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and has remembered his holy covenant,</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">73</span>the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">to grant us </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum mid-line">74</span>that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,</span></span><br /><span class="text">might serve him without fear, </span> <span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum mid-line">75</span>in holiness and righteousness</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">before him all our days.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">76</span>And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">77</span>to give knowledge of salvation to his people</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">by the forgiveness of their sins.</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">78</span>By the tender mercy of our God,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">the dawn from on high will break upon<span data-fn='#fen' class='footnote' data-link='[<a href="#fen-NRSVCE-29236h" title="See footnote h">h</a>]'>[<a href="#fen" xtitle="See footnote h">h</a>]</span> us,</span></span><br /><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">79</span>to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">to guide our feet into the way of peace.”</span></span></p></div> <p><span id="en" class="text"><span class="versenum">80</span>The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.</span></p> <A name="fen"></a><div class="footnotes"><h4>Footnotes</h4><ol><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Luke 1:3">Luke 1:3</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Or <i>for a long time</i></span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Luke 1:28">Luke 1:28</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Other ancient authorities add <i>Blessed are you among women</i></span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Luke 1:34">Luke 1:34</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Gk <i>I do not know a man</i></span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Luke 1:35">Luke 1:35</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Other ancient authorities add <i>of you</i></span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Luke 1:45">Luke 1:45</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Or <i>believed, for there will be</i></span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Luke 1:46">Luke 1:46</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Other ancient authorities read <i>Elizabeth</i></span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Luke 1:69">Luke 1:69</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Gk <i>a horn of salvation</i></span></li><li id="fen"><a hlef="#en" xtitle="Go to Luke 1:78">Luke 1:78</a> <span class='footnote-text'>Other ancient authorities read <i>has broken upon</i></span></li></ol></div> <!--end of footnotes--></div></div></div></div></div> </div> </div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. 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