by laying their hands upon them.”

and is baptized, shall be saved ;* | but he who believeth not shall be 19 SO then, after the Lord had condemned. 17 And these signs spoken to them, he was taken up shall follow those who believe: In into heaven, and sat on the right my name they shall cast out de- hand of God. 20 And as for them, mons; they shall speak in new they went forth, and proclaimed languages; 18 they shall take up the tidings every where ; serpents; and if they drink any | Lord working with them, and deadly thing, it shall not hurt confirming the word by signs folthem they shall cure the sick,| lowing.]

the

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE.

CHAP. I.

wife was of the daughters of 1 SINCE many have under- Aaron, and her name was Elizataken to prepare an account of beth. 6 And they were both rightthose things which are fully be-eous in the sight of God, walking lieved amongst us; 2 according in all the commandments and as those delivered them to us, ordinances of the Lord without who from the beginning were blame. 7 And they had no child, eye-witnesses, and ministers of because Elizabeth was barren; the Word; 3 it hath seemed and they were both far advanced good to me also, having gained in years. exact knowledge of all things from the first, to write them to thee in order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 that thou mayest know the certainty of those things, in which thou hast been instructed.

8 And it came to pass that, while he executed the priest's of fice before God in the order of his course, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot was to go into the temple of the Lord and to burn incense. 10 And the 5 IN the days of Herod, the whole multitude of the people king of Judea, there was a cer- were praying without, at the time tain priest named Zachariah, of of incense. 11 And there appear. the course of Abijah: and his | ed to him an angel of the Lord,

"He, who professes faith in me, shall be admitted to the privileges of the christian community: he, who does not believe, shall remain under all the disadvantages of a heathen state."

Im. Ver. Note.

It appears from a comparison of 1 Chron. xxiv. 19, with chap. ix. 27, and with 2 Chron. xxiii. 8, and 2 Kings, xi. 5-7, that these courses of the Priests were weekly, or of seven days each, and began and ended on the Sabbath." Parkhurst.

standing on the right hand of the temple. 22 And on his coming altar of incense. 12 And Zacha-out, he could not speak to them: riah was troubled at the sight, and they perceived that he had and fear fell upon him. seen a vision in the temple: for he made signs to them, and remained speechless. 23 And it came to pass as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he returned home.

24 And after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she concealed herself five months, saying, 25" The Lord hath thus dealt with me, in the days wherein he hath looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”

26 AND in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God, to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin espoused to a_man_named Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel coming to her, said, “Hail, highly favoured virgin: the Lord be with thee: [blessed art thou among women."]

29 And she was much troubled at his saying, and considered what kind of salutation this could be. 30 And the angel said to her, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And behold, thou shalt conceive and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called a Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David: 33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob to the ages; and of his reign there shall be no end."

13 But the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zachariah: for thy prayer hath been heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness ; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 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 a holy spirit, | even from his birth. 16 And many of the sons of Israel he shall turn to the Lord their God. 17 More over he shall go before them, in the sight of God,* with the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the disobedient by the wisdom of the righteous; to make ready for the Lord a prepared people."

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18 And Zachariah said to the angel, "By what shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife is far advanced in years. 19 And the angel answering, said to him, "I am Ga. briel, who attend in the presence of God; and I am sent to speak to thee, and to tell thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day in which these things will be performed; because thou hast not believed my words; which shall be fulfilled in their season. 21 Now the people were expecting Zachariah, and wonder. ed that he tarried so long in the gel, "How can this be, since I

34 Then said Mary to the an

* Gr." And he shall proceed in his sight." See ver. 6, 15, 19, and 75.

know not a man?" 35 And the forth all generations_will proangel answering, said to her, "Anounce me happy. 49 For he that holy spirit shall come upon thee, is mighty hath done to me great and a power of the Most High | things; and holy is his name; shall overshadow thee: and 50 and his mercy is on those who therefore thy offspring will be fear him, to all generations. 51 holy, and shall be called a son of He showeth strength with his God. 36 And, behold, thy kins-arm: he scattereth those who are woman Elizabeth, she also hath proud in the imagination of their conceived a son, in her old age: hearts. 52 He putteth down the and this is the sixth month with mighty from their thrones; and her that was called barren. 37 For exalteth those of humble state. 53 with God nothing is impossible." He filleth the hungry with good 38 Then Mary said, " Behold the things; and the rich he sendeth servant of the Lord; be it unto away empty. 54 He supporteth me according to thy word." And Israel his servant, remembering the angel departed from her. mercy, 55 (as he promised to our fathers,) towards Abraham, and

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39 AND Mary arose in those days, and went into the mountain-his race to the age.” 56 And ous country with haste, to a city Mary abode with Elizabeth about of Judea, 40 and entered into the three months, and returned home. house of Zachariah, and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it came to pass that, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb: and Elizabeth was filled with a holy spirit, 42 and spake out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed art thou among women; and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy greeting sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And happy is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of those things which were told her from the Lord."

46 Then Mary said, "My soul magnifieth the Lord; 47 and my spirit rejoiceth greatly in God, my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the humble state of his servant: for, behold, hence

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57 NOW Elizabeth's full time came, that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her kindred heard that the Lord had shown her great kindness; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and would have called him Zachariah, after the name of his father. 60 But his mother speaking, said, “Not so; but he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, " There is no one among thy kindred called by this name.

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62 Then they made signs to his father, how he would have him named. 63 And he beckoned for a writing-tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John." And all wondered. 64 And forthwith his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and blessed God. 65 And fear came

on all who dwelt round about | death, to guide our feet in the

way of peace."

them and all these things were reported throughout all the mountainous country of Judea. 66 And all those that heard them, laid them up in their hearts, saying," What kind of child will this be?" And the hand of the Lord was with him.

80 And the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his public appearance to Israel.

CH. II. 1 NOW it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the earth* should be enrolled. 2 (This was the first enrolment of Cyrenius, afterward governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be enrolled, every one to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and family of David,) 5 to be enrolled with Mary, his espoused wife, then great with child.

6 And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her first-born son, and swathed him, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

76" And thou, child, shalt be called a prophet of the Most High: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways; 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people, by remission of their sins, 78 through the tender mercy

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, and keeping night watches over their flock. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory [of the Lord] shone round about them: and they were greatly terrified. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear

of our God, 79 by which the day-not: for, behold, I bring you good spring hath visited us, to shine tidings of great joy, which shall from on high, upon those who sit be to all people: 11 for unto you in darkness and in the shadow of is born this day, in the city of

* Tny oixouμLevny the inhabited earth; i. e. the Roman empire.

67 And his father Zachariah was filled with a holy spirit, and prophesied; saying, 68 " Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he hath regarded,and wrought | redemption for his people; 69 and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David; 70 (as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, from the commencement of the age :) 71 even salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72 to perform the work of mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73 according to the oath which he sware to our father Abraham, that he would grant unto us, 74 that we, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, should serve him without fear, 75 by holiness and righteousness in his sight, all our days.

David, a saviour, who is Christ | law of the Lord: “Every male, the Lord. 12 And this shall be who first openeth the womb, shall to you a sign; ye will find a babe be called holy to the Lord;") 24 swathed, and laid in a manger." and to offer à sacrifice, according 13 And suddenly there was with | to that which is said in the law of the angel a multitude of the hea- | the Lord; "A pair of turtle-doves, venly host, praising God, and say- or two young pigeons.' ing, 14" Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men."

21 AND when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS; the name given to him by the angel, before he was con

ceived in the womb.

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was

15 And it came to pass, when righteous and religious, looking the angels were gone away from for the consolation of Israel: and them, into heaven, that the shep- | a holy spirit was upon him. 26 herds said to one another, "Let And it was revealed to him by the us now go to Bethlehem, and see holy spirit, that he should not see this thing which is come to pass, death before he had seen the which the Lord hath made known Lord's Anointed. 27 And he came to us." 16 And they went with by the spirit into the temple: and haste, and found Mary and Joseph, when the parents brought in the and the babe lying in a manger. child Jesus, to do for him accord17 And having seen it they de-ing to the custom of the law, 28 clared what had been told them Simeon took him up in his arms, concerning this child. 18 And all and blessed God, and said, 29 “ O that heard it wondered at those sovereign Lord, now dost thou things which were told them by dismiss thy servant in peace, acthe shepherds. 19 But Mary kept cording to thy word: 30 for mine all these things in memory, con- eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 sidering them in her heart. 20 which thou hast prepared before And the shepherds returned, the face of all people; 32 a light glorifying and praising God for to be revealed to the gentiles, and all things which they had heard the glory of thy people Israel.” and seen, as it had been told them.

33 And his father and mother wondered at those things which were spoken of him. 34 And Simeon blessed them; and said to Mary his mother, "Lo, this child is appointed for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which will be spoken against; 35 (yea a sword will pierce through thine own soul also ;) so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed."

36 And there was one Anna, a

22 AND when the days of their purification were accomplished, according to the law of Moses, his parents brought him to Jeru- | salem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (as it is written in the prophetess, the daughter of Pha