The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Part 13

(5)There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest, Zachariah by name, of the course of Abijah; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. (6)And they were both righteous before G.o.d, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (7)And they had no child, because Elisabeth was barren; and they both were now far advanced in years.

(8)And it came to pa.s.s, that while he executed the priest's office before G.o.d, in the order of his course, (9)it fell to his lot, according to the custom of the priest's office, to burn incense, going into the temple of the Lord. (10)And the whole mult.i.tude of the people were praying without, at the hour of incense. (11)And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. (12)And Zachariah seeing him was troubled, and fear fell upon him. (13)But the angel said to him: Fear not, Zachariah; for thy prayer was 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 before the Lord; and he shall not drink wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. (16)And many of the sons of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their G.o.d. (17)And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a prepared people for the Lord.

(18)And Zachariah said to the angel: Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is far advanced in years. (19)And the angel answering said to him: I am Gabriel, that stands in the presence of G.o.d; and I was sent to speak to thee, and to bring 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 didst not believe thy words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

(21)And the people were waiting for Zachariah; and they were wondering at his long tarrying in the temple. (22)And when he came out he was not able to speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he was making signs to them, and remained speechless.

(23)And it came to pa.s.s, when the days of his ministration were completed, that he departed to his own house.

(24)And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying: (25)Thus has 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 G.o.d to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, (27)to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. (28)And the angel coming in to her, said: Hail, highly favored! The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women. (29)And she was troubled at the saying; and was considering what manner of salutation this might be. (30)And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary; for thou didst find favor with G.o.d. (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 Son of the Highest; and the Lord G.o.d will give to him the throne of David his father; (33)and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

(34)Then said Mary to the angel: How shall this be, seeing that I know not a man? (35)And the angel answering said to her: The Holy Spirit will come upon thee, and the power of the Highest will overshadow thee; therefore also the Holy One that is born shall be called the Son of G.o.d. (36)And, behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who is called barren. (37)For with G.o.d nothing shall be[1:37]

impossible.

(38)And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to 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 Judah; (40)and entered into the house of Zachariah, and saluted Elisabeth. (41)And it came to pa.s.s, as Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (42)And she spoke 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, behold, as the voice of thy salutation came into my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. (45)And happy is she, who believed that there shall be[1:45] a fulfillment of the things told her from the Lord.

(46)And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord; (47)and my spirit rejoiced in G.o.d my Savior. (48)Because he looked upon the low estate of his handmaid; for, behold, henceforth all generations will call me happy. (49)Because the Mighty One did great things for me; and holy is his name. (50)And his mercy is from generation to generation, to those who fear him. (51)He wrought might with his arm; he scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. (52)He cast down princes from thrones, and exalted those of low degree. (53)The hungry he filled with good, and the rich he sent empty away. (54)He helped Israel, his servant; to remember mercy, (55)as he spoke to our fathers, for Abraham and for his seed forever.

(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 neighbors and her kindred heard that the Lord showed great mercy toward her; and they rejoiced with her.

(59)And it came to pa.s.s, that on the eighth day they came to circ.u.mcise the child; and they called him Zachariah, after the name of his father. (60)And his mother answered and said: Nay; but he shall be called John. (61)And they said to 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 asking for a writing-tablet, he wrote, saying: His name is John. And they all wondered. (64)And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue was loosed; and he spoke, blessing G.o.d. (65)And fear came on all that dwelt around them. And all these things[1:65] were told abroad in all the hill-country of Judaea.

(66)And all who heard laid them up in their hearts, saying: What then will this child be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

(67)And Zachariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: (68)Blessed be the Lord, the G.o.d of Israel, that he visited and wrought redemption for his people; (69)and raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of David his servant, (70)(as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets of old,) (71)salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; (72)to show mercy to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; (73)the oath which he swore to Abraham our father, (74)to grant to us, that without fear, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, we should serve him, (75)in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

(76)And also thou, O child, shalt be called Prophet of the Highest; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways, (77)in order to give knowledge of salvation to his people in remission of their sins; (78)through the tender mercies of our G.o.d, whereby the dayspring from on high visited us, (79)to give light to those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, in order to guide our feet into the way of peace.

(80)And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

II.

AND it came to pa.s.s in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be registered. (2)This registering was the first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.

(3)And all went to be registered, each one to his own city. (4)And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and family of David), (5)to be registered with Mary his betrothed wife, who was with child. (6)And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were completed that she should bring forth.

(7)And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swathing bands, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

(8)And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, and keeping watch over their flock by night. (9)And, behold, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were sore afraid. (10)And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people. (11)For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12)And this shall be to you the sign: Ye will find a babe wrapped in swathing bands, lying in a manger. (13)And suddenly there was with the angel a mult.i.tude of the heavenly host, praising G.o.d and saying: (14)Glory to G.o.d in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.

(15)And it came to pa.s.s, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said one to another: Let us go now unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pa.s.s, which the Lord made known to us. (16)And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. (17)And having seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. (18)And all that heard wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. (19)And Mary kept all these things[2:19], pondering them in her heart. (20)And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising G.o.d for all that they heard and saw, as it was told to them.

(21)And when eight days were completed for circ.u.mcising him, his name was called Jesus; the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

(22)And when the days of their purification, according to the law of Moses, were completed, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord, (23)(as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) (24)and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord: A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.

(25)And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him, (26)And it was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. (27)And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, (28)then he took him into his arms, and blessed G.o.d, and said: (29)Now, Lord, thou lettest thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; (30)because my eyes saw thy salvation, (31)which thou preparedst before the face of all the peoples, (32)a light for a revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

(33)And his father and mother wondered at the things spoken of him.

(34)And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be spoken against, (35)(and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also), that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.

(36)And there was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; (37)and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, who departed not from the temple, serving day and night with fastings and prayers. (38)And she, coming up at that very time, likewise gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

(39)And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. (40)And the child grew, and became strong, being filled with wisdom; and the favor of G.o.d was upon him.

(41)And his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the pa.s.sover. (42)And when he was twelve years old, they having gone up according to the custom of the feast, (43)and completed the days, as they returned, Jesus the child remained behind in Jerusalem. And his parents knew it not, (44)but supposing that he was in the company, went a day's journey, and sought him among their kindred and acquaintance; (45)and not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.

(46)And it came to pa.s.s, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions. (47)And all that heard him, were astonished at his understanding and answers. (48)And seeing him they were amazed.

And his mother said to him: Child, why didst thou thus deal with us?

Behold, thy father and I sought thee, sorrowing. (49)And he said to them: How is it that ye sought me? Did ye not know, that I must be in my Father's house[2:49]? (50)And they understood not the saying which he spoke to them.

(51)And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

(52)And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with G.o.d and men.

III.

NOW in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch, of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, (2)when Annas was high priest and Caiaphas, the word of G.o.d came to John, the son of Zachariah, in the wilderness. (3)And he came into all the country about the Jordan, preaching the immersion of repentance, unto remission of sins, (4)as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, Make straight his paths.

(5)Every valley shall be filled, And every mountain and hill shall be brought low; And the crooked shall be straight, And the rough ways smooth; (6)And all flesh shall see the salvation of G.o.d.

(7)He said therefore to the mult.i.tudes that came out to be immersed by him: Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

(8)Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance; and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that G.o.d is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

(9)And now also the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore, that brings not forth good fruit, is cut down and cast into the fire.

(10)And the mult.i.tudes asked him, saying: What then shall we do?

(11)He answering says to them: He that has two coats, let him impart to him that has none; and he that has food, let him do likewise.

(12)And there came also publicans to be immersed; and they said to him: Teacher, what shall we do? (13)And he said to them: Exact no more than that which is appointed you. (14)And soldiers also asked him, saying: What shall we also do? And he said to them: Do violence to no one, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages[3:14].

(15)And while the people were in expectation, and all were reasoning in their hearts concerning John, whether he himself were not the Christ, (16)John answered them all, saying: I indeed immerse you in water; but there comes he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loose; he will immerse you in the Holy Spirit and fire; (17)whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his thres.h.i.+ng-floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn up with fire unquenchable.

(18)And with many other exhortations he published the good tidings to the people.

(19)But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother, and for all the evils which Herod did, (20)added to all this also, that he shut up John in prison.

(21)Now it came to pa.s.s, when all the people had been immersed, that as Jesus, having also been immersed, was praying, the heaven was opened, (22)and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape as a dove upon him; and there came a voice out of heaven: Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

(23)And Jesus himself was, when he began[3:23], about thirty years of age; being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, (24)the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, (25)the son of Matthias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, (26)the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of s.h.i.+mei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, (27)the son of Joanna, the son of Reza, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Salathiel, the son of Neri, (28)the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, (29)the son of Joses, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, (30)the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, (31)the son of Meleah, the son of Mainan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, (32)the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahon, (33)the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Pharez, the son of Judah, (34)the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, (35)the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Salah, (36)the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, (37)the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mehalaleel, the son of Cainan, (38)the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of G.o.d.