Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us,

just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us.

When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

“How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

And the angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”

And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless.

She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!”

because the Mighty One
has done great things for me,
and His name is holy.

His mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear Him.

just as He spoke to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his descendants forever.

He asked for a writing tablet and wrote:

HIS NAME IS JOHN.

And they were all amazed.

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of His servant David,

just as He spoke by the mouth
of His holy prophets in ancient times;

salvation from our enemies
and from the clutches of those who hate us.

the oath that He swore to our father Abraham.
He has given us the privilege,

Because of our God’s merciful compassion,
the Dawn from on high will visit us

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered.

And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David,

Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.

When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

(just as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord)

and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons).

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed—

After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it.

When His parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”

as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:

A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way for the Lord;
make His paths straight!

Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don’t start saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones!

Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees! Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

John answered them all, “I baptize you with water, but One is coming who is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing shovel is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and gather the wheat into His barn, but the chaff He will burn up with a fire that never goes out.”

When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As He was praying, heaven opened,

As He began His ministry, Jesus was about 30 years old and was thought to be the

son of Joseph, son of Heli,

But Jesus answered him, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone.”

And Jesus answered him, “It is written:

Worship the Lord your God,
and serve Him only.”

For it is written:

He will give His angels orders concerning you,
to protect you,

And Jesus answered him, “It is said: Do not test the Lord your God.”

He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As usual, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read.

The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him, and unrolling the scroll, He found the place where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is on Me,
because He has anointed Me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent Me
to proclaim freedom to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set free the oppressed,

He began by saying to them, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.”

He also said, “I assure you: No prophet is accepted in his hometown.

“Leave us alone! What do You have to do with us, Jesus—Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

Amazement came over them all, and they kept saying to one another, “What is this message? For He commands the unclean spirits with authority and power, and they come out!”

When the sun was setting, all those who had anyone sick with various diseases brought them to Him. As He laid His hands on each one of them, He would heal them.

As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s word, He was standing by Lake Gennesaret.

Then He ordered him to tell no one: “But go and show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses prescribed for your cleansing as a testimony to them.”

Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to think: “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?

Jesus said to them, “You can’t make the wedding guests fast while the groom is with them, can you?

And no one, after drinking old wine, wants new, because he says, ‘The old is better.’”

But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”

how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the sacred bread, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat? He even gave some to those who were with him.”

Then He told them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

On another Sabbath He entered the synagogue and was teaching. A man was there whose right hand was paralyzed.

Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do what is good or to do what is evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

Then looking up at His disciples, He said:

You who are poor are blessed,
because the kingdom of God is yours.

You are blessed when people hate you,
when they exclude you, insult you,
and slander your name as evil
because of the Son of Man.

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! Take note—your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets.

Woe to you
when all people speak well of you,
for this is the way their ancestors
used to treat the false prophets.

Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.

If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.

And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full.

But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil.

Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don’t see the log in your eye? Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck in your brother’s eye.

For each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs aren’t gathered from thornbushes, or grapes picked from a bramble bush.

I will show you what someone is like who comes to Me, hears My words, and acts on them:

He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built.

But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great!”

When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with Him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this,

because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue.”

That is why I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be cured.

Just as He neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was also with her.

Then fear came over everyone, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited His people.”

and sent them to the Lord, asking, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?”

When the men reached Him, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask You, ‘Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?’”

And anyone who is not offended because of Me is blessed.”

This is the one it is written about:

Look, I am sending My messenger
ahead of You;
he will prepare Your way before You.

I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching Him—she’s a sinner!”

Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.”

Those who were at the table with Him began to say among themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?”

As a large crowd was gathering, and people were flocking to Him from every town, He said in a parable:

“A sower went out to sow his seed. As he was sowing, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the sky ate it up.

Still other seed fell on good ground; when it sprang up, it produced a crop: 100 times what was sown.” As He said this, He called out, “Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!”

So He said, “The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given for you to know, but to the rest it is in parables, so that

Looking they may not see,
and hearing they may not understand.

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life, and produce no mature fruit.

For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and come to light.

and as they were sailing He fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger.

He said to them, “Where is your faith?”

They were fearful and amazed, asking one another, “Who can this be? He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey Him!”

Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.

“What is your name?” Jesus asked him.

“Legion,” he said—because many demons had entered him.

While He was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t bother the Teacher anymore.”