Seeing that many did take in hand to set in order a narration of the matters that have been fully assured among us,

exactly as they were handed down to us by those [with personal experience] who from the beginning [of Christ’s ministry] were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word [that is, of the teaching concerning salvation through faith in Christ],

I determined also, as soon as I had searched out diligently all things from the beginning, that then I would write unto thee, good Theophilus,

That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

It happened that in the days of Herod, king of Judea, [there was] a certain priest, Zechariah by name, of the division of Abijah. And {he had a wife} from the daughters of Aaron, and her name [was] Elizabeth.

Both were perfect before God, and walked in all the laws and ordinances of the Lord, that no man could find fault with them.

And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and he will not drink any wine or intoxicating drinks [Note: This restriction suggests that John may have taken the special vow of consecration making him a "Nazarite"]. And he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the time he is born.

and he shall march before him, in the spirit and power of Elias, to reconcile parents and children together, and the unruly to the practice of justice, that the people may be duly dispos'd to receive the Lord.

And Zacharias said unto the angel, "Whereby shall I know this? Seeing that I am old, and my wife well stricken in years."

And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

After that time, Elisabeth, being certain that she was to become a mother, kept herself from men's eyes for five months, saying,

"Thus has the Lord dealt with me," she said, "now that He has graciously taken away my reproach among men."

Now in the sixth month [of Elizabeth’s pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

When she saw him, she was abashed at his saying: and cast in her mind what manner of salutation that should be.

"How can this be," Mary replied, "seeing that I have no husband?"

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren.

For nothing that God says [will happen] is impossible."

Now at this time Mary arose and hurried to the hill country, to a city of Judah (Judea),

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For at that moment when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.

And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

He showeth strength with his arm, he scattereth them that are proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath given help to Israel his servant, That he might remember mercy

Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

And her neighbors and her kinsfolk heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her; and they rejoiced with her.

And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

(As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old),

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

An oath that He sware to Abraham our father,

That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

all the days of our life, in such holiness and righteousness that are accept before him.

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

and Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, that is called Bethlehem, because of his being of the house and family of David,

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And there were shepherds in that country abiding without, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

Then an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, so that they were fearfully frightened.

And the messenger said to them, 'Fear not, for lo, I bring you good news of great joy, that shall be to all the people --

that today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.

And this is the sign [that will verify it] to you: You will find a baby wrapped in [linen] cloths lying in an animal's feeding trough."

And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And [when they] saw [it], they made known the statement that had been told to them about this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

While Mary treasured up all that they said, and dwelt upon it in her thoughts.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

And when eight days were completed {so that he could be circumcised}, he was named Jesus, his name [that] [he] was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

There was at that time in Jerusalem a man named Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who lived in constant expectation of the Consolation of Israel, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law,

that you have prepared in the presence of all the peoples,

a light that will reveal salvation to unbelievers and bring glory to your people Israel."

And while his father and mother were marveling at the words that were spoken concerning him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother.

Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Listen carefully: this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is to be opposed—

(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

when Jesus therefore was twelve years old they went thither, as was customary at the time of that festival.

when that was expired, they returned, but the young Jesus staid behind in Jerusalem, without being miss'd either by Joseph or his Mother.

but, supposing him to be in the company that journeyed together, they went a day's journey, and sought him among their relations and acquaintances:

And seeing that he was not there, they went back to Jerusalem, to make search for him.

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

And they understood not the thing that he said to them.

However he went down with them to Nazareth, and submitted himself to their control; and his mother treasured all that was said in her heart.

He went into the whole region around the Jordan River proclaiming that those immersed on the basis of their repentance [i.e., determining to change their hearts and lives] would receive the forgiveness of sins [from God].

Everyone will see the salvation that God has provided.'"

Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

And even now the axe also lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

As the people were in suspence, every man imagining in his own mind that John might be the Messiah;

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:

His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat (believers) into His barn (kingdom); but He will burn up the chaff (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire.”

and Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him concerning Herodias the wife of Philip his brother, and concerning all the evils that Herod did,

Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

And Jesus was about thirty years old when He began to teach. (It was assumed that) He was the son of Joseph, who was the [legal] son of Heli [Note: A lineage through Jesus' mother Mary follows:]

where he was being tempted by the Devil for 40 days. During that time he ate nothing at all, and when they were over he became hungry.

And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.