Luke 1:26-56

26Now in the sixth month [of Elizabeth’s pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,

27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28And coming to her, the angel said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”

29But she was greatly perplexed at what he said, and kept carefully considering what kind of greeting this was.

30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

31Listen carefully: you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.

32He will be great and eminent and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;

33and He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.”

34Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin and have no intimacy with any man?”

35Then the angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a cloud]; for that reason the holy (pure, sinless) Child shall be called the Son of God.

36And listen, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.

37For with God nothing [is or ever] shall be impossible.”

38Then Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel left her.

39Now at this time Mary arose and hurried to the hill country, to a city of Judah (Judea),

40and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him.

42And she exclaimed loudly, “Blessed [worthy to be praised] are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

43And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?

44For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

45And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord.”

46And Mary said, “My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord,

47And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

48For He has looked [with loving care] on the humble state of His maidservant; For behold, from now on all generations will count me blessed and happy and favored by God!

49For He who is mighty has done great things for me; And holy is His name [to be worshiped in His purity, majesty, and glory].

50And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who [stand in great awe of God and] fear Him.

51He has done mighty deeds with His [powerful] arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.

52He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And exalted those who were humble.

53He has filled the hungry with good things; And sent the rich away empty-handed.

54He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,

55Just as He promised to our fathers, To Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

56And Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, and then returned to her home.