'Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord,
1 47 [ 2Sm.2.1-10. ] rejoice, rejoice, my spirit, in God my saviour;
1 48 [ 2Sm.1.11. ] so tenderly has he looked upon his servant,
humble as she is.
For, from this day forth,
all generations will count me blessed,
1 49 so wonderfully has he dealt with me,
the Lord, the Mighty One. His name is Holy;
1 50 his mercy sure from generation to generation
toward those who fear him;
1 51 the deeds his own right arm has done disclose his might:
the arrogant of heart and mind he has put to rout,
1 52 he has brought down monarchs from their thrones,
but the humble have been lifted high.
1 53 The hungry he has satisfied with good things,
the rich sent empty away. 1 54 He has ranged himself at the side of Israel his servant;
1 55 firm in his promise to our forefathers,
he has not forgotten to show mercy to Abraham
and his children's children, for ever.'
1 56 Mary stayed with her about three months and then returned home.
- The Birth of John the Baptist Lk.1.57-66 (Hebron)
1 57 NOW THE TIME CAME for Elizabeth's child to be born, and she gave birth to a son. 1 58 When her neighbours and relatives heard what great favour the Lord had shown her, they were as delighted as she was. 1 59 Then on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. 1 60 But his mother spoke up and said, 'No! he is to be called John.' 1 61 'But', they said, 'there is nobody in your family who has that name.' 1 62 They inquired of his father by signs what he would like him to be called. 1 63 He asked for a writing-tablet and to the astonishment of all wrote down, 'His name is John.' 1 64 Immediately his lips and tongue were freed and he began to speak, praising God. 1 65 All the neighbours were struck with awe, and everywhere in the uplands of Judaea the whole story became common talk. 1 66 All who heard it were deeply impressed and said, 'What will this child become?' For indeed the hand of the Lord was upon him. Some witnesses read: 'What will this child become, for indeed the hand of the Lord is upon him?'
- The Prophesy of Zechariah Lk.1.67-80 (Hebron)
1 67 And Zechariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit and uttered this prophecy:
- 1 68 [ Ps.41.13. ] 'Praise to the God of Israel!
For he has turned to his people,
saved them and set them free,
1 69 and has raised up a deliverer of victorious power
from the house of his servant David. 1 70 So he promised: age after age he proclaimed
by the lips of his holy prophets,
1 71 that he would deliver us from our enemies,
out of the hands of all who hate us;
1 72 that he would deal mercifully with our fathers,
calling to mind his solemn covenant. 1 73 Such was the oath he swore to our father Abraham,
1 74 to rescue us from enemy hands,
and grant us, free from fear,
to worship him 1 75 with a holy worship,
with uprightness of heart,
in his presence, our whole life long. 1 76 [ Mal.3.1. ] And you, my child, you shall be called Prophet of the Highest,
for you will be the Lord's forerunner, to prepare his way
1 77 and lead his people to salvation through knowledge of him,
by the forgiveness of their sins:
1 78 for in the tender compassion of our God
the morning sun from heaven will rise Some witnesses read: has risen. upon us,
1 79 [ Is.9.2, Is.59.8. ] to shine on those who live in darkness, under the cloud of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.' 1 80 As the child grew up he became strong in spirit; he lived out in the wilds until the day when he appeared publicly before Israel.