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,

But they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both very old.

And now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will be silent, unable to speak, until the day these things take place."

When he came out, he was not able to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision in the holy place, because he was making signs to them and remained unable to speak.

because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant. For from now on all generations will call me blessed,

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

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he has come to help and has redeemed his people.

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

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

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

but (because they assumed that he was in their group of travelers) they went a day's journey. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances.

But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and because of all the evil deeds that he had done,

"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,

They were amazed at his teaching, because he spoke with authority.

Demons also came out of many, crying out, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them, and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

But since they found no way to carry him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down on the stretcher through the roof tiles right in front of Jesus.

The whole crowd was trying to touch him, because power was coming out from him and healing them all.

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.

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.

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.

because he loves our nation, and even built our synagogue."

(Now all the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God's justice, because they had been baptized with John's baptism.

However, the Pharisees and the experts in religious law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

Other seed fell on rock, and when it came up, it withered because it had no moisture.

Now Jesus' mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not get near him because of the crowd.

Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him.

Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, because they were all waiting for him.

because he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds pressed around him.

And they began making fun of him, because they knew that she was dead.

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about everything that was happening, and he was thoroughly perplexed, because some people were saying that John had been raised from the dead,

Now the day began to draw to a close, so the twelve came and said to Jesus, "Send the crowd away, so they can go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and food, because we are in an isolated place."

John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he is not a disciple along with us."

but the villagers refused to welcome him, because he was determined to go to Jerusalem.

On that same occasion Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will.

because a friend of mine has stopped here while on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.'

I tell you, even though the man inside will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of the first man's sheer persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

So if Satan too is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? I ask you this because you claim that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.

The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon -- and now, something greater than Solomon is here!

The people of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented when Jonah preached to them -- and now, something greater than Jonah is here!

So you testify that you approve of the deeds of your ancestors, because they killed the prophets and you build their tombs!

Then he said to them, "Watch out and guard yourself from all types of greed, because one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

He answered them, "Do you think these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered these things?

But the president of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the crowd, "There are six days on which work should be done! So come and be healed on those days, and not on the Sabbath day."

"Exert every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.

At that time, some Pharisees came up and said to Jesus, "Get away from here, because Herod wants to kill you."

Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, because it is impossible that a prophet should be killed outside Jerusalem.'

"When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, because a person more distinguished than you may have been invited by your host.

Then you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

At the time for the banquet he sent his slave to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, because everything is now ready.'

Returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, telling them, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.'

because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again -- he was lost and is found!' So they began to celebrate.

The slave replied, 'Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he got his son back safe and sound.'

So he called the manager in and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Turn in the account of your administration, because you can no longer be my manager.'

The master commended the dishonest manager because he acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their contemporaries than the people of light.

So he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in this fire.'

He won't thank the slave because he did what he was told, will he?

yet because this widow keeps on bothering me, I will give her justice, or in the end she will wear me out by her unending pleas.'"

So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, because Jesus was going to pass that way.

And when Jesus came to that place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, because I must stay at your house today."

Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this household, because he too is a son of Abraham!

While the people were listening to these things, Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.

And the king said to him, 'Well done, good slave! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you will have authority over ten cities.'

For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.'

They will demolish you -- you and your children within your walls -- and they will not leave within you one stone on top of another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God."

But if we say, 'From people,' all the people will stone us, because they are convinced that John was a prophet."

Then the experts in the law and the chief priests wanted to arrest him that very hour, because they realized he had told this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

In fact, they can no longer die, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, since they are sons of the resurrection.

But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.

You will be hated by everyone because of my name.

because these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.

But when these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

And after about an hour still another insisted, "Certainly this man was with him, because he too is a Galilean."

When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some miraculous sign.

Pilate addressed them once again because he wanted to release Jesus.

because the sun's light failed. The temple curtain was torn in two.

but they urged him, "Stay with us, because it is getting toward evening and the day is almost done." So he went in to stay with them.

And while they still could not believe it (because of their joy) and were amazed, he said to them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"