1 Quoniam quidem multi conati sunt
ordinare narrationem quae in nobis conpletae sunt rerum
2 sicut tradiderunt nobis qui ab initio ipsi viderunt
et ministri fuerunt sermonis
3 visum est et mihi adsecuto a principio omnibus
diligenter ex ordine tibi scribere optime Theophile
4 ut cognoscas eorum verborum de quibus eruditus es veritatem
5 Fuit in diebus Herodis regis Iudaeae sacerdos quidam
nomine Zaccharias de vice Abia
et uxor illi de filiabus Aaron et nomen eius Elisabeth
6 erant autem iusti ambo ante Deum
incedentes in omnibus mandatis et iustificationibus Domini
sine querella
7 et non erat illis filius eo quod esset Elisabeth sterilis
et ambo processissent in diebus suis
8 factum est autem cum sacerdotio fungeretur
in ordine vicis suae ante Deum
9 secundum consuetudinem sacerdotii
sorte exiit ut incensum poneret ingressus in templum Domini
10 et omnis multitudo erat populi orans foris hora incensi
11 apparuit autem illi angelus Domini stans a dextris altaris incensi
12 et Zaccharias turbatus est videns et timor inruit super eum
13 ait autem ad illum angelus
ne timeas Zaccharia quoniam exaudita est deprecatio tua
et uxor tua Elisabeth pariet tibi filium
et vocabis nomen eius Iohannem
14 et erit gaudium tibi et exultatio
et multi in nativitate eius gaudebunt
15 erit enim magnus coram Domino
et vinum et sicera non bibet
et Spiritu Sancto replebitur adhuc ex utero matris suae
16 et multos filiorum Israhel convertet ad Dominum Deum ipsorum
17 et ipse praecedet ante illum in spiritu et virtute Heliae
ut convertat corda patrum in filios
et incredibiles ad prudentiam iustorum
parare Domino plebem perfectam
18 et dixit Zaccharias ad angelum unde hoc sciam
ego enim sum senex et uxor mea processit in diebus suis
19 et respondens angelus dixit ei
ego sum Gabrihel qui adsto ante Deum
et missus sum loqui ad te et haec tibi evangelizare
20 et ecce eris tacens et non poteris loqui usque in diem quo haec fiant
pro eo quod non credidisti verbis meis
quae implebuntur in tempore suo
21 et erat plebs expectans Zacchariam
et mirabantur quod tardaret ipse in templo
22 egressus autem non poterat loqui ad illos
et cognoverunt quod visionem vidisset in templo
et ipse erat innuens illis et permansit mutus
23 et factum est ut impleti sunt dies officii eius
abiit in domum suam
24 post hos autem dies concepit Elisabeth uxor eius
et occultabat se mensibus quinque dicens
25 quia sic mihi fecit Dominus
in diebus quibus respexit auferre obprobrium meum inter homines
26 in mense autem sexto missus est angelus Gabrihel a Deo
in civitatem Galilaeae cui nomen Nazareth
27 ad virginem desponsatam viro
cui nomen erat Ioseph de domo David
et nomen virginis Maria
28 et ingressus angelus ad eam dixit
have gratia plena Dominus tecum
benedicta tu in mulieribus
29 quae cum vidisset turbata est in sermone eius
et cogitabat qualis esset ista salutatio
30 et ait angelus ei
ne timeas Maria invenisti enim gratiam apud Deum
31 ecce concipies in utero et paries filium
et vocabis nomen eius Iesum
32 hic erit magnus et Filius Altissimi vocabitur
et dabit illi Dominus Deus sedem David patris eius
33 et regnabit in domo Iacob in aeternum
et regni eius non erit finis
34 dixit autem Maria ad angelum
quomodo fiet istud quoniam virum non cognosco
35 Et respondens angelus dixit ei
Spiritus Sanctus superveniet in te
et virtus Altissimi obumbrabit tibi
ideoque et quod nascetur sanctum vocabitur Filius Dei
36 Et ecce Elisabeth cognata tua
et ipsa concepit filium in senecta sua
et hic mensis est sextus illi quae vocatur sterilis
37 quia non erit inpossibile apud Deum omne verbum
38 dixit autem Maria
ecce ancilla Domini fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum
et discessit ab illa angelus
39 exsurgens autem Maria in diebus illis abiit in montana
cum festinatione in civitatem Iuda
40 et intravit in domum Zacchariae et salutavit Elisabeth
41 et factum est ut audivit salutationem Mariae Elisabeth
exultavit infans in utero eius
et repleta est Spiritu Sancto Elisabeth
42 et exclamavit voce magna et dixit
benedicta tu inter mulieres et benedictus fructus ventris tui
43 et unde hoc mihi ut veniat mater Domini mei ad me
44 ecce enim ut facta est vox salutationis tuae in auribus meis
exultavit in gaudio infans in utero meo
45 et beata quae credidit
quoniam perficientur ea quae dicta sunt ei a Domino
46 et ait Maria
Magnificat anima mea Dominum
47 et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo
48 quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae
ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes
49 quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est et sanctum nomen eius
50 et misericordia eius in progenies et progenies
timentibus eum
51 fecit potentiam in brachio suo
dispersit superbos mente cordis sui
52 deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles
53 esurientes implevit bonis et divites dimisit inanes
54 suscepit Israhel puerum suum
memorari misericordiae
55 sicut locutus est ad patres nostros
Abraham et semini eius in saecula
56 mansit autem Maria cum illa quasi mensibus tribus
et reversa est in domum suam
57 Elisabeth autem impletum est tempus pariendi et peperit filium
58 et audierunt vicini et cognati eius
quia magnificavit Dominus misericordiam suam cum illa
et congratulabantur ei
59 et factum est in die octavo venerunt circumcidere puerum
et vocabant eum nomine patris eius
Zacchariam
60 et respondens mater eius dixit
nequaquam sed vocabitur Iohannes
61 et dixerunt ad illam
quia nemo est in cognatione tua qui vocetur hoc nomine
62 innuebant autem patri eius quem vellet vocari eum
63 et postulans pugillarem scripsit dicens
Iohannes est nomen eius
et mirati sunt universi
64 apertum est autem ilico os eius et lingua eius
et loquebatur benedicens Deum
65 et factus est timor super omnes vicinos eorum
et super omnia montana Iudaeae divulgabantur omnia verba haec
66 et posuerunt omnes qui audierant in corde suo dicentes
quid putas puer iste erit
etenim manus Domini erat cum illo
67 et Zaccharias pater eius impletus est Spiritu Sancto
et prophetavit dicens
68 Benedictus Deus Israhel
quia visitavit et fecit redemptionem plebi suae
69 et erexit cornu salutis nobis in domo David pueri sui
70 sicut locutus est per os sanctorum
qui a saeculo sunt prophetarum eius
71 salutem ex inimicis nostris
et de manu omnium qui oderunt nos
72 ad faciendam misericordiam cum patribus nostris
et memorari testamenti sui sancti
73 iusiurandum quod iuravit ad Abraham patrem nostrum
74 daturum se nobis
ut sine timore de manu inimicorum nostrorum liberati
serviamus illi
75 in sanctitate et iustitia coram ipso
omnibus diebus nostris
76 et tu puer propheta Altissimi vocaberis
praeibis enim ante faciem Domini parare vias eius
77 ad dandam scientiam salutis plebi eius
in remissionem peccatorum eorum
78 per viscera misericordiae Dei nostri
in quibus visitavit nos oriens ex alto
79 inluminare his qui in tenebris et in umbra mortis sedent
ad dirigendos pedes nostros in viam pacis
80 puer autem crescebat et confortabatur spiritu
et erat in deserto usque in diem ostensionis suae ad
Israhel
1 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 thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
5 ¶ There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth 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 before God in the order of his course, 9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him , he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, 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 the Lord. 18 And Zacharias 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 Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, 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 conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord 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 Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou 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: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, 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 nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. 39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy 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 the Lord. 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God 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 holy is his name. 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 holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. 56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. 57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord 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, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so ; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy 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. And they marvelled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed , and he spake, and praised God. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa. 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 the Lord was with him. 67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which 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; 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 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 thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; 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 Israel.