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1. Most Honorable Theophilus: Many others have tried to give a report of the things that happened among us to complete God's plan.
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1. Forasmuch G1895 as many G4183 have taken in hand G2021 to set forth in order G392 a declaration G1335 of G4012 those things G4229 which are most surely believed G4135 among G1722 us G2254 ,
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2. What they have written agrees with what we learned from the people who saw those events from the beginning. They also served God by telling people his message.
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2. Even as G2531 they delivered G3860 them unto us G2254 , which from the beginning were G1096 G575 G746 eyewitnesses G845 , and G2532 ministers G5257 of the G3588 word G3056 ;
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3. I studied it all carefully from the beginning. Then I decided to write it down for you in an organized way.
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3. It seemed good G1380 to me also G2504 , having had perfect G199 understanding G3877 of all things G3956 from the very first G509 , to write G1125 unto thee G4671 in order G2517 , most excellent G2903 Theophilus G2321 ,
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4. I did this so that you can be sure that what you have been taught is true.
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4. That G2443 thou mightest know G1921 the G3588 certainty G803 of those things G3056 , wherein G4012 G3739 thou hast been instructed G2727 .
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5. During the time when Herod ruled Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah. He belonged to Abijah's group. His wife came from the family of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth.
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5. There was G1096 in G1722 the G3588 days G2250 of Herod G2264 , the G3588 king G935 of Judea G2449 , a certain G5100 priest G2409 named G3686 Zacharias G2197 , of G1537 the course G2183 of Abijah G7 : and G2532 his G846 wife G1135 was of G1537 the G3588 daughters G2364 of Aaron G2 , and G2532 her G846 name G3686 was Elisabeth G1665 .
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6. Zechariah and Elizabeth were both good people who pleased God. They did everything the Lord commanded, always following his instructions completely.
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6. And G1161 they were G2258 both G297 righteous G1342 before G1799 God G2316 , walking G4198 in G1722 all G3956 the G3588 commandments G1785 and G2532 ordinances G1345 of the G3588 Lord G2962 blameless G273 .
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7. But they had no children. Elizabeth could not have a baby, and both of them were very old.
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7. And G2532 they had G2258 G846 no G3756 child G5043 , because that G2530 Elisabeth G1665 was G2258 barren G4723 , and G2532 they both G297 were G2258 now well stricken G4260 in G1722 years G2250 .
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8. Zechariah was serving as a priest before God for his group. It was his group's time to serve.
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8. And G1161 it came to pass G1096 , that while he G846 executed the priest's office G2407 before G1725 God G2316 in G1722 the G3588 order G5010 of his G848 course G2183 ,
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9. The priests always chose one priest to offer the incense, and Zechariah was the one chosen this time. So he went into the Temple of the Lord to offer the incense.
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9. According G2596 to the G3588 custom G1485 of the G3588 priest's office G2405 , his lot was G2975 to burn incense G2370 when he went G1525 into G1519 the G3588 temple G3485 of the G3588 Lord G2962 .
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10. There was a large crowd outside praying at the time the incense was offered.
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10. And G2532 the G3588 whole G3956 multitude G4128 of the G3588 people G2992 were G2258 praying G4336 without G1854 at the G3588 time G5610 of incense G2368 .
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11. Then, on the right side of the incense table an angel of the Lord came and stood before Zechariah.
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11. And G1161 there appeared G3700 unto him G846 an angel G32 of the Lord G2962 standing G2476 on G1537 the right side G1188 of the G3588 altar G2379 of incense G2368 .
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12. When he saw the angel, Zechariah was upset and very afraid.
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12. And G2532 when Zacharias G2197 saw G1492 him, he was troubled G5015 , and G2532 fear G5401 fell G1968 upon G1909 him G846 .
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13. But the angel said to him, "Zechariah, don't be afraid. Your prayer has been heard by God. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to a baby boy, and you will name him John.
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13. But G1161 the G3588 angel G32 said G2036 unto G4314 him G846 , Fear G5399 not G3361 , Zacharias G2197 : for G1360 thy G4675 prayer G1162 is heard G1522 ; and G2532 thy G4675 wife G1135 Elisabeth G1665 shall bear G1080 thee G4671 a son G5207 , and G2532 thou shalt call G2564 his G846 name G3686 John G2491 .
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14. You will be very happy, and many others will share your joy over his birth.
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14. And G2532 thou G4671 shalt have G2071 joy G5479 and G2532 gladness G20 ; and G2532 many G4183 shall rejoice G5463 at G1909 his G846 birth G1083 .
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15. He will be a great man for the Lord. He will never drink wine or liquor. Even before he is born, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.
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15. For G1063 he shall be G2071 great G3173 in the sight G1799 of the G3588 Lord G2962 , and G2532 shall drink G4095 neither G3364 wine G3631 nor G2532 strong drink G4608 ; and G2532 he shall be filled G4130 with the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 , even G2089 from G1537 his G848 mother G3384 's womb G2836 .
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16. "John will help many people of Israel return to the Lord their God.
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16. And G2532 many G4183 of the G3588 children G5207 of Israel G2474 shall he turn G1994 to G1909 the Lord G2962 their G846 God G2316 .
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17. John himself will go ahead of the Lord and make people ready for his coming. He will be powerful like Elijah and will have the same spirit. He will make peace between fathers and their children. He will cause people who are not obeying God to change and start thinking the way they should."
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17. And G2532 he G846 shall go G4281 before G1799 him G846 in the spirit G4151 and G2532 power G1411 of Elijah G2243 , to turn G1994 the hearts G2588 of the fathers G3962 to G1909 the children G5043 , and G2532 the disobedient G545 to G1722 the wisdom G5428 of the just G1342 ; to make ready G2090 a people G2992 prepared G2680 for the Lord G2962 .
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18. Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I know that what you say is true? I am an old man, and my wife is also old."
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18. And G2532 Zacharias G2197 said G2036 unto G4314 the G3588 angel G32 , Whereby G2596 G5101 shall I know G1097 this G5124 ? for G1063 I G1473 am G1510 an old man G4246 and G2532 my G3450 wife G1135 well stricken G4260 in G1722 years G2250 .
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19. The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, the one who always stands ready before God. He sent me to talk to you and to tell you this good news.
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19. And G2532 the G3588 angel G32 answering G611 said G2036 unto him G846 , I G1473 am G1510 Gabriel G1043 , that stand G3936 in the presence G1799 of God G2316 ; and G2532 am sent G649 to speak G2980 unto G4314 thee G4571 , and G2532 to show thee these glad tidings G2097 G4671 G5023 .
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20. Now, listen! You will not be able to talk until the day when these things happen. You will lose your speech because you did not believe what I told you. But everything I said will really happen."
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20. And G2532 , behold G2400 , thou shalt be G2071 dumb G4623 , and G2532 not G3361 able G1410 to speak G2980 , until G891 the G3739 day G2250 that these things G5023 shall be performed G1096 , because G473 thou G3739 believest G4100 not G3756 my G3450 words G3056 , which G3748 shall be fulfilled G4137 in G1519 their G848 season G2540 .
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21. Outside, the people were still waiting for Zechariah. They were surprised that he was staying so long in the Temple.
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21. And G2532 the G3588 people G2992 waited for G2258 G4328 Zacharias G2197 , and G2532 marveled G2296 that he G846 tarried so long G5549 in G1722 the G3588 temple G3485 .
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22. Then Zechariah came outside, but he could not speak to them. So the people knew that he had seen a vision inside the Temple. He was not able to speak, so he could only make signs to the people.
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22. And G1161 when he came out G1831 , he could G1410 not G3756 speak G2980 unto them G846 : and G2532 they perceived G1921 that G3754 he had seen G3708 a vision G3701 in G1722 the G3588 temple G3485 : for G2532 he G846 beckoned G2258 G1269 unto them G846 , and G2532 remained G1265 speechless G2974 .
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23. When his time of service was finished, he went home.
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23. And G2532 it came to pass G1096 , that , as soon as G5613 the G3588 days G2250 of his G846 ministration G3009 were accomplished G4130 , he departed G565 to G1519 his own G848 house G3624 .
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24. Later, Zechariah's wife Elizabeth became pregnant. So she did not go out of her house for five months. She said,
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24. And G1161 after G3326 those G5025 days G2250 his G846 wife G1135 Elisabeth G1665 conceived G4815 , and G2532 hid G4032 herself G1438 five G4002 months G3376 , saying G3004 ,
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25. "Look what the Lord has done for me! He decided to help me. Now people will stop thinking there is something wrong with me."
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25. Thus G3779 hath the G3588 Lord G2962 dealt G4160 with me G3427 in G1722 the G3588 days G2250 wherein G3739 he looked on G1896 me, to take away G851 my G3450 reproach G3681 among G1722 men G444 .
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26. During Elizabeth's sixth month of pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to a virgin girl who lived in Nazareth, a town in Galilee. She was engaged to marry a man named Joseph from the family of David. Her name was Mary.
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26. And G1161 in G1722 the G3588 sixth G1623 month G3376 the G3588 angel G32 Gabriel G1043 was sent G649 from G5259 God G2316 unto G1519 a city G4172 of Galilee G1056 , named G3686 Nazareth G3478 ,
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27. vnumber="27">
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27. To G4314 a virgin G3933 espoused G3423 to a man G435 whose G3739 name G3686 was Joseph G2501 , of G1537 the house G3624 of David G1138 ; and G2532 the G3588 virgin G3933 's name G3686 was Mary G3137 .
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28. The angel came to her and said, "Greetings! The Lord is with you; you are very special to him."
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28. And G2532 the G3588 angel G32 came in G1525 unto G4314 her G846 , and said G2036 , Hail G5463 , thou that art highly favored G5487 , the G3588 Lord G2962 is with G3326 thee G4675 : blessed G2127 art thou G4771 among G1722 women G1135 .
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29. But Mary was very confused about what the angel said. She wondered, "What does this mean?"
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29. And G1161 when she G3588 saw G1492 him, she was troubled G1298 at G1909 his G846 saying G3056 , and G2532 cast in her mind G1260 what manner G4217 of salutation G783 this G3778 should be G1498 .
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30. The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary, because God is very pleased with you.
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30. And G2532 the G3588 angel G32 said G2036 unto her G846 , Fear G5399 not G3361 , Mary G3137 : for G1063 thou hast found G2147 favor G5485 with G3844 God G2316 .
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31. Listen! You will become pregnant and have a baby boy. You will name him Jesus.
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31. And G2532 , behold G2400 , thou shalt conceive G4815 in G1722 thy womb G1064 , and G2532 bring forth G5088 a son G5207 , and G2532 shalt call G2564 his G846 name G3686 JESUS G2424 .
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32. He will be great. People will call him the Son of the Most High God, and the Lord God will make him king like his ancestor David.
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32. He G3778 shall be G2071 great G3173 , and G2532 shall be called G2564 the Son G5207 of the Highest G5310 : and G2532 the Lord G2962 God G2316 shall give G1325 unto him G846 the G3588 throne G2362 of his G846 father G3962 David G1138 :
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33. He will rule over the people of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
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33. And G2532 he shall reign G936 over G1909 the G3588 house G3624 of Jacob G2384 forever G1519 G165 ; and G2532 of his G846 kingdom G932 there shall be G2071 no G3756 end G5056 .
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34. Mary said to the angel, "How will this happen? I am still a virgin."
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34. Then G1161 said G2036 Mary G3137 unto G4314 the G3588 angel G32 , How G4459 shall this G5124 be G2071 , seeing G1893 I know G1097 not G3756 a man G435 ?
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35. The angel said to Mary, "The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High God will cover you. The baby will be holy and will be called the Son of God.
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35. And G2532 the G3588 angel G32 answered G611 and said G2036 unto her G846 , The Holy G40 Ghost G4151 shall come G1904 upon G1909 thee G4571 , and G2532 the power G1411 of the Highest G5310 shall overshadow G1982 thee G4671 : therefore G1352 also G2532 that holy thing G40 which shall be born G1080 of G1537 thee G4675 shall be called G2564 the Son G5207 of God G2316 .
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36. And here's something else: Your relative Elizabeth is pregnant. She is very old, but she is going to have a son. Everyone thought she could not have a baby, but she has been pregnant now for six months.
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36. And G2532 , behold G2400 , thy G4675 cousin G4773 Elisabeth G1665 , she G846 hath also G2532 conceived G4815 a son G5207 in G1722 her G848 old age G1094 : and G2532 this G3778 is G2076 the sixth G1623 month G3376 with her G846 , who was called G2564 barren G4723 .
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37. God can do anything!"
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37. For G3754 with G3844 God G2316 nothing G3956 G4487 G3756 shall be impossible G101 .
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38. Mary said, "I am the servant of the Lord God. Let this thing you have said happen to me!" Then the angel went away.
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38. And G1161 Mary G3137 said G2036 , Behold G2400 the G3588 handmaid G1399 of the Lord G2962 ; be G1096 it unto me G3427 according G2596 to thy G4675 word G4487 . And G2532 the G3588 angel G32 departed G565 from G575 her G846 .
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39. Mary got up and went quickly to a town in the hill country of Judea.
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39. And G1161 Mary G3137 arose G450 in G1722 those G5025 days G2250 , and went G4198 into G1519 the G3588 hill country G3714 with G3326 haste G4710 , into G1519 a city G4172 of Judah G2448 ;
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40. She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth.
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40. And G2532 entered G1525 into G1519 the G3588 house G3624 of Zacharias G2197 , and G2532 saluted G782 Elisabeth G1665 .
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41. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the unborn baby inside her jumped, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.
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41. And G2532 it came to pass G1096 , that, when G5613 Elisabeth G1665 heard G191 the G3588 salutation G783 of Mary G3137 , the G3588 babe G1025 leaped G4640 in G1722 her G846 womb G2836 ; and G2532 Elisabeth G1665 was filled G4130 with the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 :
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42. In a loud voice she said to Mary, "God has blessed you more than any other woman. And God has blessed the baby you will have.
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42. And G2532 she spake out G400 with a loud G3173 voice G5456 , and G2532 said G2036 , Blessed G2127 art thou G4771 among G1722 women G1135 , and G2532 blessed G2127 is the G3588 fruit G2590 of thy G4675 womb G2836 .
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43. You are the mother of my Lord, and you have come to me! Why has something so good happened to me?
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43. And G2532 whence G4159 is this G5124 to me G3427 , that G2443 the G3588 mother G3384 of my G3450 Lord G2962 should come G2064 to G4314 me G3165 ?
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44. When I heard your voice, the baby inside me jumped with joy.
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44. For G1063 , lo G2400 , as soon as G5613 the G3588 voice G5456 of thy G4675 salutation G783 sounded G1096 in G1519 mine G3450 ears G3775 , the G3588 babe G1025 leaped G4640 in G1722 my G3450 womb G2836 for G1722 joy G20 .
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45. What a great blessing is yours because you believed what the Lord said to you! You believed this would happen."
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45. And G2532 blessed G3107 is she that believed G4100 for G3754 there shall be G2071 a performance G5050 of those things which were told G2980 her G846 from G3844 the Lord G2962 .
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46. Then Mary said,
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46. And G2532 Mary G3137 said G2036 , My G3450 soul G5590 doth magnify G3170 the G3588 Lord G2962 ,
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47. "I praise the Lord with all my heart. I am very happy because God is my Savior.
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47. And G2532 my G3450 spirit G4151 hath rejoiced G21 in G1909 God G2316 my G3450 Savior G4990 .
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48. I am not important, but he has shown his care for me, his lowly servant. From now until the end of time, people will remember how much God blessed me.
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48. For G3754 he hath regarded G1914 the G3588 low estate G5014 of his G848 handmaiden G1399 : for G1063 , behold G2400 , from G575 henceforth G3568 all G3956 generations G1074 shall call me blessed G3106 G3165 .
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49. Yes, the Powerful One has done great things for me. His name is very holy.
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49. For G3754 he that is mighty G1415 hath done G4160 to me G3427 great things G3167 ; and G2532 holy G40 is his G846 name G3686 .
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50. He always gives mercy to those who worship him.
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50. And G2532 his G846 mercy G1656 is on them that fear G5399 him G846 from G1519 generation G1074 to generation G1074 .
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51. He reached out his arm and showed his power. He scattered those who are proud and think great things about themselves.
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51. He hath showed G4160 strength G2904 with G1722 his G848 arm G1023 ; he hath scattered G1287 the proud G5244 in the imagination G1271 of their G846 hearts G2588 .
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52. He brought down rulers from their thrones and raised up the humble people.
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52. He hath put down G2507 the mighty G1413 from G575 their seats G2362 , and G2532 exalted G5312 them of low degree G5011 .
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53. He filled the hungry with good things, but he sent the rich away with nothing.
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53. He hath filled G1705 the hungry G3983 with good things G18 ; and G2532 the rich G4147 he hath sent empty away G1821 G2756 .
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54. God has helped Israel� the people he chose to serve him. He did not forget his promise to give us his mercy.
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54. He hath helped G482 his G848 servant G3816 Israel G2474 , in remembrance G3415 of his mercy G1656 ;
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55. He has done what he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever."
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55. As G2531 he spake G2980 to G4314 our G2257 fathers G3962 , to Abraham G11 , and G2532 to his G846 seed G4690 forever G1519 G165 .
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56. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then went home.
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56. And G1161 Mary G3137 abode G3306 with G4862 her G846 about G5616 three G5140 months G3376 , and G2532 returned G5290 to G1519 her own G848 house G3624 .
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57. When it was time for Elizabeth to give birth, she had a boy.
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57. Now G1161 Elisabeth G1665 's full time G5550 came G4130 that she G846 should be delivered G5088 ; and G2532 she brought forth G1080 a son G5207 .
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58. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord was very good to her, and they were happy for her.
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58. And G2532 her G848 neighbors G4040 and G2532 her cousins G4773 heard G191 how G3754 the Lord G2962 had showed great mercy G3170 G848 G1656 upon G3326 her G846 ; and G2532 they rejoiced with G4796 her G846 .
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59. When the baby was eight days old, they came to circumcise him. They wanted to name him Zechariah because this was his father's name.
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59. And G2532 it came to pass G1096 , that on G1722 the G3588 eighth G3590 day G2250 they came G2064 to circumcise G4059 the G3588 child G3813 ; and G2532 they called G2564 him G846 Zacharias G2197 , after G1909 the G3588 name G3686 of his G846 father G3962 .
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60. But his mother said, "No, he will be named John."
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60. And G2532 his G846 mother G3384 answered G611 and said G2036 , Not G3780 so ; but G235 he shall be called G2564 John G2491 .
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61. The people said to Elizabeth, "But no one in your family has that name."
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61. And G2532 they said G2036 unto G4314 her G846 , There is G2076 none G3762 of G1722 thy G4675 kindred G4772 that G3739 is called G2564 by this G5129 name G3686 .
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62. Then they made signs to his father, "What would you like to name him?"
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62. And G2532 they made signs G1770 to his G846 father G3962 , how G5101 he would have G2309 G302 him G846 called G2564 .
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63. Zechariah asked for something to write on. Then he wrote, "His name is John." Everyone was surprised.
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63. And G2532 he asked G154 for a writing table G4093 , and wrote G1125 , saying G3004 , His G846 name G3686 is G2076 John G2491 . And G2532 they marveled G2296 all G3956 .
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64. Then Zechariah could talk again, and he began praising God.
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64. And G1161 his G846 mouth G4750 was opened G455 immediately G3916 , and G2532 his G846 tongue G1100 loosed, and G2532 he spake G2980 , and praised G2127 God G2316 .
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65. And all their neighbors were afraid. In all the hill country of Judea people continued talking about these things.
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65. And G2532 fear G5401 came G1096 on G1909 all G3956 that dwelt round about G4039 them G846 : and G2532 all G3956 these G5023 sayings G4487 were noised abroad G1255 throughout G1722 all G3650 the G3588 hill country G3714 of Judea G2449 .
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66. Everyone who heard about these things wondered about them. They thought, "What will this child be?" They could see that the Lord was with him.
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66. And G2532 all G3956 they that heard G191 them laid them up G5087 in G1722 their G848 hearts G2588 , saying G3004 , What manner G5101 of G686 child G3813 shall this G5124 be G2071 ! And G2532 the hand G5495 of the Lord G2962 was G2258 with G3326 him G846 .
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67. Then Zechariah, John's father, was filled with the Holy Spirit and told the people a message from God:
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67. And G2532 his G846 father G3962 Zacharias G2197 was filled G4130 with the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 , and G2532 prophesied G4395 , saying G3004 ,
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68. "Praise to the Lord God of Israel. He has come to help his people and has given them freedom.
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68. Blessed G2128 be the Lord G2962 God G2316 of Israel G2474 ; for G3754 he hath visited G1980 and G2532 redeemed G4160 G3085 his G848 people G2992 ,
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69. He has given us a powerful Savior from the family of his servant David.
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69. And G2532 hath raised up G1453 a horn G2768 of salvation G4991 for us G2254 in G1722 the G3588 house G3624 of his G848 servant G3816 David G1138 ;
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70. This is what he promised through his holy prophets long ago.
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70. As G2531 he spake G2980 by G1223 the mouth G4750 of his G848 holy G40 prophets G4396 , which G3588 have been since the world began G575 G165 :
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71. He will save us from our enemies and from the power of all those who hate us.
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71. That we should be saved G4991 from G1537 our G2257 enemies G2190 , and G2532 from G1537 the hand G5495 of all G3956 that hate G3404 us G2248 ;
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72. God said he would show mercy to our fathers, and he remembered his holy agreement.
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72. To perform G4160 the mercy G1656 promised to G3326 our G2257 fathers G3962 , and G2532 to remember G3415 his G848 holy G40 covenant G1242 ;
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73. This was the promise he made to our father Abraham,
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73. The oath G3727 which G3739 he swore G3660 to G4314 our G2257 father G3962 Abraham G11 ,
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74. a promise to free us from the power of our enemies, so that we could serve him without fear
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74. That he would grant G1325 unto us G2254 , that we being delivered G4506 out of G1537 the hand G5495 of our G2257 enemies G2190 might serve G3000 him G846 without fear G870 ,
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75. in a way that is holy and right for as long as we live.
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75. In G1722 holiness G3742 and G2532 righteousness G1343 before G1799 him G846 , all G3956 the G3588 days G2250 of our G2257 life G2222 .
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76. "Now you, little boy, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go first before the Lord to prepare the way for him.
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76. And G2532 thou G4771 , child G3813 , shalt be called G2564 the prophet G4396 of the Highest G5310 : for G1063 thou shalt go G4313 before G4253 the face G4383 of the Lord G2962 to prepare G2090 his G846 ways G3598 ;
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77. You will make his people understand that they will be saved by having their sins forgiven.
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77. To give G1325 knowledge G1108 of salvation G4991 unto his G846 people G2992 by G1722 the remission G859 of their G846 sins G266 ,
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78. "With the loving mercy of our God, a new day from heaven will shine on us.
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78. Through G1223 the tender mercy G4698 G1656 of our G2257 God G2316 ; whereby G1722 G3739 the dayspring G395 from G1537 on high G5311 hath visited G1980 us G2248 ,
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79. It will bring light to those who live in darkness, in the fear of death. It will guide us into the way that brings peace."
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79. To give light G2014 to them that sit G2521 in G1722 darkness G4655 and G2532 in the shadow G4639 of death G2288 , to guide G2720 our G2257 feet G4228 into G1519 the way G3598 of peace G1515 .
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80. And so the little boy John grew up and became stronger in spirit. Then he lived in areas away from other people until the time when he came out to tell God's message to the people of Israel.
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80. And G1161 the G3588 child G3813 grew G837 , and G2532 waxed strong G2901 in spirit G4151 , and G2532 was G2258 in G1722 the G3588 deserts G2048 till G2193 the day G2250 of his G846 showing G323 unto G4314 Israel G2474 .
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