just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,

They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.

And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.

The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple.

When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home.

“He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.

“He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And has exalted those who were humble.

Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.

And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father.

And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished.

Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea.

While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.

At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it,

And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

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

And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”

So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?”

Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”

Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ,

Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened,

And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”

But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land;

And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”

And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things;

and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority.

While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.

Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ.

When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them.

and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets.

and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.”

But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.

One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing.

And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him.

They were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them.

Now it happened that He was passing through some grainfields on a Sabbath; and His disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating the grain.

And Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him,

The scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He healed on the Sabbath, so that they might find reason to accuse Him.

But He knew what they were thinking, and He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!” And he got up and came forward.

But they themselves were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured.

And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.

Soon afterwards He went to a city called Nain; and His disciples were going along with Him, accompanied by a large crowd.

At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind.

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 sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.”

When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?”

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

Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him,

and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.

When a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable:

And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd.

But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.

And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”

They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.

And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned.

for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him.

And Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You.”

Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.”

Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.

But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing.

(For there were about five thousand men.) And He said to His disciples, “Have them sit down to eat in groups of about fifty each.”

And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.

And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, “Who do the people say that I am?”

And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah,

who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.

And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not realizing what he was saying.

While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.

And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples,

But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.

But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side,

When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem;

As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.”

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.

And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute; when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed.

Others, to test Him, were demanding of Him a sign from heaven.

As the crowds were increasing, He began to say, “This generation is a wicked generation; it seeks for a sign, and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah.

Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you hindered those who were entering.”

Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

“I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!

Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate?

Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem?

As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him.

It happened that when He went into the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, they were watching Him closely.

When one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!”

For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.’”

Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them,

Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him.

And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.

Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him.