Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
The Covenant » Made with » Abraham
Now ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant, which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, "And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed:"
Verse Concepts
to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, read more.
all the days of our life.
all the days of our life.
Now the promises were made to Abraham, and to his seed. He doth not say, "and to seeds," as of many; but as of one, "and to thy seed," which is Christ.
Verse Concepts
The Covenant » God is ever mindful of
to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant,
Verse Concepts
The Covenant » Fulfilled in Christ
and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, read more.
even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace."
even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace."
John the baptist » John the baptist being sent to prepare the way for jesus Christ
And he called for a writing-tablet, and wrote upon it, His name is John: and they all wondered. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God. And an awe fell upon all that dwelt round about them; and all these things were divulged through the whole hill-country of Judea. read more.
And all that heard them, laid them up in their hearts, saying, What a child will this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord,
And all that heard them, laid them up in their hearts, saying, What a child will this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord,
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John: this man came for witness, that he might testify concerning the light, that through him all might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of the light. read more.
The true light was that which enlightneth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and yet the world knew Him not: yea, He came to his own peculiar right, and even his own people received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them granted He the privilege to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name; who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, being full of grace and truth: and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father. Of Him did John bare witness, and publicly declared, saying, This was He of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me; for He was before me.
The true light was that which enlightneth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and yet the world knew Him not: yea, He came to his own peculiar right, and even his own people received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them granted He the privilege to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name; who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, being full of grace and truth: and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father. Of Him did John bare witness, and publicly declared, saying, This was He of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me; for He was before me.
John answered and said, A man can take nothing upon him, unless it be given him from heaven. Ye your selves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but am sent before Him.
Ye your selves sent unto John, and he bore witness to the truth: though I need not testimony from man; but I say these things that ye may be saved. He was indeed a burning and shining light, and for a while ye willingly rejoiced in his light.
Joy » Instances of » Of zecharias, when john the baptist was born
And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, read more.
in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace."
in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace."
Miracles » Catalogue of » The incarnation of jesus
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was in wise: when Mary his mother was promised in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child by the Holy Ghost: but Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was inclined to break off the contract with her privately; and when he was thinking on these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph thou Son of David, scruple not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. read more.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. (Now all this came to pass, that it might be fulfilled, which the Lord spake by the prophet, saying, "Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel," which is God with us.) So Joseph, when he awoke from his sleep, did as the angel of the Lord directed him, and took home his wife: and he knew her not, till she brought forth her Son the first-born, and he called his name Jesus.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. (Now all this came to pass, that it might be fulfilled, which the Lord spake by the prophet, saying, "Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel," which is God with us.) So Joseph, when he awoke from his sleep, did as the angel of the Lord directed him, and took home his wife: and he knew her not, till she brought forth her Son the first-born, and he called his name Jesus.
But in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin who was betrothed to a man, whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary. And when the angel came in to the room to her, he said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured; the Lord is with thee; read more.
blessed art thou among women! and when she saw him, she was confused at what he said, and pondered in her mind what sort of salutation this could be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favor with God: and behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give Him the throne of David his father, and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary to the angel, How can this be, since I am a virgin? And the angel answered and said unto her, The holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee, and therefore thine holy offspring shall be called the Son of God: and lo, thy cousin Elisabeth also hath conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren; for nothing is impossible with God. Then Mary said, Behold the servant of the Lord, may it be unto me according to thy word. So the angel departed from her. Then Mary arose and went with speed into the hill-country, to a city of Juda, and came into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And as soon as Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the child leaped in her womb, and Elisabeth was filled with the holy Spirit: and she cried out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb: and whence is this honor to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? for behold, as soon as the voice of thy salutation reached my ears, the child in my womb leaped for joy: and blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of the things that were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour; for He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaid: for behold, from henceforth shall all generations call me blessed: for He that is mighty hath done great things for me, and his name is holy, and his mercy is on them that fear Him, unto all generations. He hath wrought powerfully with his arm; He hath confounded those that were proud in the imagination of their heart. He hath cast down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent away empty. He hath supported Israel his servant, in remembrance of his mercy (even as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed,) for ever." And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her own house. Now when Elisabeth's time for her delivery was fully come, she brought forth a son: and her neighbours and kindred heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they congratulated her; and on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father: but his mother said, No, but he shall be called John: and they said to her, There is none of thy relations of this name. And they made signs to his father, what name he would have him called by. And he called for a writing-tablet, and wrote upon it, His name is John: and they all wondered. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God. And an awe fell upon all that dwelt round about them; and all these things were divulged through the whole hill-country of Judea. And all that heard them, laid them up in their hearts, saying, What a child will this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace." And the child grew, and became strong in spirit: and he was in the deserts till the time of his being manifested to Israel.
blessed art thou among women! and when she saw him, she was confused at what he said, and pondered in her mind what sort of salutation this could be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favor with God: and behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give Him the throne of David his father, and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary to the angel, How can this be, since I am a virgin? And the angel answered and said unto her, The holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee, and therefore thine holy offspring shall be called the Son of God: and lo, thy cousin Elisabeth also hath conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren; for nothing is impossible with God. Then Mary said, Behold the servant of the Lord, may it be unto me according to thy word. So the angel departed from her. Then Mary arose and went with speed into the hill-country, to a city of Juda, and came into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And as soon as Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the child leaped in her womb, and Elisabeth was filled with the holy Spirit: and she cried out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb: and whence is this honor to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? for behold, as soon as the voice of thy salutation reached my ears, the child in my womb leaped for joy: and blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of the things that were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour; for He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaid: for behold, from henceforth shall all generations call me blessed: for He that is mighty hath done great things for me, and his name is holy, and his mercy is on them that fear Him, unto all generations. He hath wrought powerfully with his arm; He hath confounded those that were proud in the imagination of their heart. He hath cast down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent away empty. He hath supported Israel his servant, in remembrance of his mercy (even as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed,) for ever." And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her own house. Now when Elisabeth's time for her delivery was fully come, she brought forth a son: and her neighbours and kindred heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they congratulated her; and on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father: but his mother said, No, but he shall be called John: and they said to her, There is none of thy relations of this name. And they made signs to his father, what name he would have him called by. And he called for a writing-tablet, and wrote upon it, His name is John: and they all wondered. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God. And an awe fell upon all that dwelt round about them; and all these things were divulged through the whole hill-country of Judea. And all that heard them, laid them up in their hearts, saying, What a child will this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace." And the child grew, and became strong in spirit: and he was in the deserts till the time of his being manifested to Israel.
Poetry » Lyrics, sacred » Of zacharias
and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, read more.
even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace."
even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace."
The promises of God » Are » Fulfilled in Christ
Of this man's seed, according to the promise, hath God raised up to Israel Jesus the Saviour:
Verse Concepts
and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, read more.
to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father,
to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father,
Psalms » Zacharias
and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, read more.
even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace."
even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace."
Select readings » The prophetic blessing of zacharias
And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, read more.
in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace." And the child grew, and became strong in spirit: and he was in the deserts till the time of his being manifested to Israel.
in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace." And the child grew, and became strong in spirit: and he was in the deserts till the time of his being manifested to Israel.
Religion » Instances of outstanding religious persons » Zacharias
but the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John:
Verse Concepts
And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, read more.
in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace."
in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace."
Zacharias (zechariah) » The father of john the baptist
and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being high priests, the word of God came unto John the Son of Zacharias in the wilderness:
Verse Concepts
There was in the days of Herod king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the family of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous in the sight of God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, for Elisabeth was barren; and they were both far advanced in years. read more.
And it came to pass, while he was in the order of his course performing the priest's office before God, according to the custom of dividing the office of the priests, that it fell to his lot to burn incense, entring into the temple of the Lord: and all the people were praying without at the time of offering incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right hand of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was startled and struck with fear: but the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John: and he shall be a joy and transport to thee, yea, many shall rejoice on account of his birth; for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink neither wine nor any other strong liquor; and he shall be filled with the holy Spirit even from his birth; and many of the children of Israel shall he convert unto the Lord their God. And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to prepare for the Lord a people well-disposed. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife far advanced in years. And the angel answering said to him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God, and I am sent to speak to thee, and to tell thee this good news: and now shalt thou be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall come to pass; because thou believedst not my words, which shall be fulfilled at their season. And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and wondered at his staying so long in the temple: but when he came out he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he made signs to them, and continued speechless: and as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after these days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and retired five months, saying, the Lord hath thus dealt with me in the days wherein he looked upon me to take away my reproach among men. But in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin who was betrothed to a man, whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary. And when the angel came in to the room to her, he said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women! and when she saw him, she was confused at what he said, and pondered in her mind what sort of salutation this could be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favor with God: and behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give Him the throne of David his father, and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary to the angel, How can this be, since I am a virgin? And the angel answered and said unto her, The holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee, and therefore thine holy offspring shall be called the Son of God: and lo, thy cousin Elisabeth also hath conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren; for nothing is impossible with God. Then Mary said, Behold the servant of the Lord, may it be unto me according to thy word. So the angel departed from her. Then Mary arose and went with speed into the hill-country, to a city of Juda, and came into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And as soon as Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the child leaped in her womb, and Elisabeth was filled with the holy Spirit: and she cried out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb: and whence is this honor to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? for behold, as soon as the voice of thy salutation reached my ears, the child in my womb leaped for joy: and blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of the things that were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour; for He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaid: for behold, from henceforth shall all generations call me blessed: for He that is mighty hath done great things for me, and his name is holy, and his mercy is on them that fear Him, unto all generations. He hath wrought powerfully with his arm; He hath confounded those that were proud in the imagination of their heart. He hath cast down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent away empty. He hath supported Israel his servant, in remembrance of his mercy (even as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed,) for ever." And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her own house. Now when Elisabeth's time for her delivery was fully come, she brought forth a son: and her neighbours and kindred heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they congratulated her; and on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father: but his mother said, No, but he shall be called John: and they said to her, There is none of thy relations of this name. And they made signs to his father, what name he would have him called by. And he called for a writing-tablet, and wrote upon it, His name is John: and they all wondered. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God. And an awe fell upon all that dwelt round about them; and all these things were divulged through the whole hill-country of Judea. And all that heard them, laid them up in their hearts, saying, What a child will this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace." And the child grew, and became strong in spirit: and he was in the deserts till the time of his being manifested to Israel.
And it came to pass, while he was in the order of his course performing the priest's office before God, according to the custom of dividing the office of the priests, that it fell to his lot to burn incense, entring into the temple of the Lord: and all the people were praying without at the time of offering incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right hand of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was startled and struck with fear: but the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John: and he shall be a joy and transport to thee, yea, many shall rejoice on account of his birth; for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink neither wine nor any other strong liquor; and he shall be filled with the holy Spirit even from his birth; and many of the children of Israel shall he convert unto the Lord their God. And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to prepare for the Lord a people well-disposed. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife far advanced in years. And the angel answering said to him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God, and I am sent to speak to thee, and to tell thee this good news: and now shalt thou be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall come to pass; because thou believedst not my words, which shall be fulfilled at their season. And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and wondered at his staying so long in the temple: but when he came out he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he made signs to them, and continued speechless: and as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after these days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and retired five months, saying, the Lord hath thus dealt with me in the days wherein he looked upon me to take away my reproach among men. But in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin who was betrothed to a man, whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary. And when the angel came in to the room to her, he said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women! and when she saw him, she was confused at what he said, and pondered in her mind what sort of salutation this could be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favor with God: and behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give Him the throne of David his father, and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary to the angel, How can this be, since I am a virgin? And the angel answered and said unto her, The holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee, and therefore thine holy offspring shall be called the Son of God: and lo, thy cousin Elisabeth also hath conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren; for nothing is impossible with God. Then Mary said, Behold the servant of the Lord, may it be unto me according to thy word. So the angel departed from her. Then Mary arose and went with speed into the hill-country, to a city of Juda, and came into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And as soon as Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the child leaped in her womb, and Elisabeth was filled with the holy Spirit: and she cried out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb: and whence is this honor to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? for behold, as soon as the voice of thy salutation reached my ears, the child in my womb leaped for joy: and blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of the things that were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour; for He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaid: for behold, from henceforth shall all generations call me blessed: for He that is mighty hath done great things for me, and his name is holy, and his mercy is on them that fear Him, unto all generations. He hath wrought powerfully with his arm; He hath confounded those that were proud in the imagination of their heart. He hath cast down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent away empty. He hath supported Israel his servant, in remembrance of his mercy (even as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed,) for ever." And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her own house. Now when Elisabeth's time for her delivery was fully come, she brought forth a son: and her neighbours and kindred heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they congratulated her; and on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father: but his mother said, No, but he shall be called John: and they said to her, There is none of thy relations of this name. And they made signs to his father, what name he would have him called by. And he called for a writing-tablet, and wrote upon it, His name is John: and they all wondered. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God. And an awe fell upon all that dwelt round about them; and all these things were divulged through the whole hill-country of Judea. And all that heard them, laid them up in their hearts, saying, What a child will this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David, as He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning, even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to display his mercy towards our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, according to the oath which He sware to Abraham our father, to grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, my child, shalt be called the prophet of the most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to make known salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring hath visited us from on high, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace." And the child grew, and became strong in spirit: and he was in the deserts till the time of his being manifested to Israel.