Luke 1:39-65

39In those days Mary got up and went hurriedly into the hill country, to a town of Judah,

40and entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.

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

42She exclaimed with a loud voice, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb!

43And who am I that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me?

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

45And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

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

47and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior,

48because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant. For from now on all generations will call me blessed,

49because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name;

50from generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him.

51He has demonstrated power with his arm; he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogance of their hearts.

52He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up those of lowly position;

53he has filled the hungry with good things, and has sent the rich away empty.

54He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy,

55as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

56So Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.

57Now the time came for Elizabeth to have her baby, and she gave birth to a son.

58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father.

60But his mother replied, “No! He must be named John.”

61They said to her, “But none of your relatives bears this name.”

62So they made signs to the baby’s father, inquiring what he wanted to name his son.

63He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.

64Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue released, and he spoke, blessing God.

65All their neighbors were filled with fear, and throughout the entire hill country of Judea all these things were talked about.