Chapter 1

This eBook was produced by David Widger with the help of Derek Andrew's text from January 1992 and the work of Bryan Taylor in November 2002.

Book 42 Luke

42:001:001 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

42:001:002 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

42:001:003 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

42:001:004 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

42:001:005 THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

42:001:006 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

42:001:007 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

42:001:008 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

42:001:009 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

42:001:010 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

42:001:011 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

42:001:012 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

42:001:013 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

42:001:014 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

42:001:015 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

42:001:016 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

42:001:017 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

42:001:018 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

42:001:019 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

42:001:020 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

42:001:021 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

42:001:022 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

42:001:023 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

42:001:024 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

42:001:025 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

42:001:026 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

42:001:027 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

42:001:028 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

42:001:029 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

42:001:030 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

42:001:031 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

42:001:032 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

42:001:033 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

42:001:034 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

42:001:035 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

42:001:036 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

42:001:037 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

42:001:038 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

42:001:039 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

42:001:040 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

42:001:041 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

42:001:042 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

42:001:043 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

42:001:044 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

42:001:045 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

42:001:046 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

42:001:047 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

42:001:048 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

42:001:049 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

42:001:050 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

42:001:051 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

42:001:052 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

42:001:053 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

42:001:054 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

42:001:055 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

42:001:056 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

42:001:057 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

42:001:058 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

42:001:059 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

42:001:060 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

42:001:061 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

42:001:062 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

42:001:063 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

42:001:064 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

42:001:065 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

42:001:066 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

42:001:067 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

42:001:068 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

42:001:069 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

42:001:070 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

42:001:071 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

42:001:072 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

42:001:073 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

42:001:074 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

42:001:075 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

42:001:076 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

42:001:077 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

42:001:078 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

42:001:079 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

42:001:080 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

42:002:001 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

42:002:002 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

42:002:003 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

42:002:004 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

42:002:005 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

42:002:006 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

42:002:007 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

42:002:008 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

42:002:009 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

42:002:010 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

42:002:011 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

42:002:012 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

42:002:013 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

42:002:014 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

42:002:015 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

42:002:016 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

42:002:017 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

42:002:018 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

42:002:019 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

42:002:020 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

42:002:021 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

42:002:022 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

42:002:023 (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

42:002:024 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

42:002:025 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

42:002:026 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

42:002:027 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

42:002:028 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

42:002:029 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

42:002:030 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

42:002:031 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

42:002:032 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

42:002:033 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

42:002:034 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

42:002:035 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

42:002:036 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

42:002:037 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

42:002:038 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

42:002:039 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

42:002:040 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

42:002:041 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

42:002:042 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

42:002:043 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

42:002:044 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

42:002:045 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

42:002:046 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

42:002:047 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

42:002:048 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

42:002:049 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

42:002:050 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

42:002:051 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

42:002:052 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

42:003:001 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,

42:003:002 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

42:003:003 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

42:003:004 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

42:003:005 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

42:003:006 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

42:003:007 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

42:003:008 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

42:003:009 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

42:003:010 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

42:003:011 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

42:003:012 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

42:003:013 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

42:003:014 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

42:003:015 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;

42:003:016 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

42:003:017 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

42:003:018 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.

42:003:019 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

42:003:020 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

42:003:021 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

42:003:022 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

42:003:023 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

42:003:024 Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph,

42:003:025 Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge,

42:003:026 Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda,

42:003:027 Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri,

42:003:028 Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er,

42:003:029 Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi,

42:003:030 Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim,

42:003:031 Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,

42:003:032 Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson,

42:003:033 Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda,

42:003:034 Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor,

42:003:035 Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala,

42:003:036 Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,

42:003:037 Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan,