Now many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,

like the accounts passed on to us by those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning.

So it seemed good to me as well, because I have followed all things carefully from the beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

Now while Zechariah was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty,

And he will go as forerunner before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him."

Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is old as well."

"This is what the Lord has done for me at the time when he has been gracious to me, to take away my disgrace among people."

to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.

The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one, the Lord is with you!"

"And look, your relative Elizabeth has also become pregnant with a son in her old age -- although she was called barren, she is now in her sixth month!

She exclaimed with a loud voice, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb!

And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled."

because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name;

from generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him.

He has demonstrated power with his arm; he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogance of their hearts.

as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they were all amazed.

For he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,

as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from long ago,

that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us.

in holiness and righteousness before him for as long as we live.

Because of our God's tender mercy the dawn will break upon us from on high

Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!"

When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us."

So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.

(just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male will be set apart to the Lord"),

and to offer a sacrifice according to what is specified in the law of the Lord, a pair of doves or two young pigeons.

Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected.

Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed -- and a sword will pierce your own soul as well!"

She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

But when the feast was over, as they were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,

When his parents saw him, they were overwhelmed. His mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously."

As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one shouting in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.

Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance, and don't begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones!

Even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."

Then some soldiers also asked him, "And as for us -- what should we do?" He told them, "Take money from no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your pay."

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

His winnowing fork is in his hand to clean out his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his storehouse, but the chaff he will burn up with inextinguishable fire."

So Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years old. He was the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man does not live by bread alone.'"

Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'You are to worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'"

for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,'

Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You are not to put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Now Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read,

and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and the regaining of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed,

Then he began to tell them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled even as you heard it being read."

And he added, "I tell you the truth, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.

"Ha! Leave us alone, Jesus the Nazarene! Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are -- the Holy One of God."

As the sun was setting, all those who had any relatives sick with various diseases brought them to Jesus. He placed his hands on every one of them and healed them.

But Jesus said to them, "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, for that is what I was sent to do."

Then he ordered the man to tell no one, but commanded him, "Go and show yourself to a priest, and bring the offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

Then the experts in the law and the Pharisees began to think to themselves, "Who is this man who is uttering blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'?

So Jesus said to them, "You cannot make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you?

But those days are coming, and when the bridegroom is taken from them, at that time they will fast."

No one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, 'The old is good enough.'"

But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is against the law on the Sabbath?"

how he entered the house of God, took and ate the sacred bread, which is not lawful for any to eat but the priests alone, and gave it to his companions?"

Then he said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."

On another Sabbath, Jesus entered the synagogue and was teaching. Now a man was there whose right hand was withered.

Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save a life or to destroy it?"

"Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject you as evil on account of the Son of Man!

Rejoice in that day, and jump for joy, because your reward is great in heaven. For their ancestors did the same things to the prophets.

To the person who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other as well, and from the person who takes away your coat, do not withhold your tunic either.

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.

And if you lend to those from whom you hope to be repaid, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, so that they may be repaid in full.

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to ungrateful and evil people.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive."

He also told them a parable: "Someone who is blind cannot lead another who is blind, can he? Won't they both fall into a pit?

A disciple is not greater than his teacher, but everyone when fully trained will be like his teacher.

for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from brambles.

"Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and puts them into practice -- I will show you what he is like:

He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep, and laid the foundation on bedrock. When a flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built.

But the person who hears and does not put my words into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against that house, it collapsed immediately, and was utterly destroyed!"

When they came to Jesus, they urged him earnestly, "He is worthy to have you do this for him,

That is why I did not presume to come to you. Instead, say the word, and my servant must be healed.

As he approached the town gate, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother (who was a widow), and a large crowd from the town was with her.

Fear seized them all, and they began to glorify God, saying, "A great prophet has appeared among us!" and "God has come to help his people!"

and sent them to Jesus to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"

When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?'"

Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."

This is the one about whom it is written, 'Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'

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

But wisdom is vindicated by all her children."

As she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. She wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfumed oil.

Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner."

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little loves little."

But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?"

"A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled on, and the wild birds devoured it.

But other seed fell on good soil and grew, and it produced a hundred times as much grain." As he said this, he called out, "The one who has ears to hear had better listen!"

"Now the parable means this: The seed is the word of God.

As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

But as for the seed that landed on good soil, these are the ones who, after hearing the word, cling to it with an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance.

For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be made known and brought to light.

and as they sailed he fell asleep. Now a violent windstorm came down on the lake, and the boat started filling up with water, and they were in danger.

Then he said to them, "Where is your faith?" But they were afraid and amazed, saying to one another, "Who then is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him!"