Luke 1:39-65

39Now in those days, Miriam got up and quickly traveled into the hill country, to a town in Judah.

40She entered Zechariah’s home and happily greeted Elizabeth.

41When Elizabeth heard Miriam’s greeting, the unborn child leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was completely filled with the Ruach ha-Kodesh.

42She then cried out with a great shout, saying, “You are blessed among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

43Who am I, that the mother of my Master should come to me?

44For even when I just heard the sound of your greeting in my ear, the unborn child leaped with joy in my womb.

45Blessed is she who trusted that there would be a fulfillment of those things spoken to her by Adonai.”

46Then Miriam said, “My soul magnifies Adonai,

47and my spirit greatly rejoices in God, my Savior.

48For He has looked with care upon the humble state of His maidservant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.

49For the Mighty One has done a great thing for me, and holy is His name.

50And His mercy is from generation to generation to the ones who fear Him.

51He has displayed power with His arm. He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

52He has brought down rulers from thrones and exalted humble ones.

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

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

55just as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.”

56Miriam stayed with her for three months and then returned to her home.

57Upon Elizabeth’s full term to deliver, she gave birth to a son.

58Her neighbors and relatives heard how Adonai had shown her His great mercy, and they began to rejoice with her.

59Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they kept trying to call him by his father’s name, Zechariah.

60But his mother declared, “No, he will be called John.”

61But they said to her, “No one among your relatives is called by this name.”

62So they began making signs to his father, as to what he wanted him named.

63Asking for a small tablet, he wrote, “John is his name.” They were all astonished!

64And his mouth was immediately unlocked as well as his tongue, and he began to speak, praising God.

65Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these matters were talked about throughout the hill country of Judah.