Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

THE GOSPEL HISTORY WRITTEN BY

S. LUKE.

(THE PHYSICIAN.)
CHAP. I.

JOHN THE BAPTIST'S NATIVITY.

WHEREAS many have undertaken to compose the history of those facts which were confirmed among us with the fullest evidence, 2. Even as these transmitted them to us, who were from the beginning (of Christ's ministry) eye witnesses, and ministers of the word; 3. I also, having accurately traced all these things from their first rise, as discovered to me from above, have thought it proper to write an orderly account of them to thee, most noble Theophilus, 4. That thou mightest know the certainty of these things wherein thou hast been instructed.

5.

IN N the days of Herod king of Judea, There was a certain priest, named Zacharias, of Abias's course, and his wife named Elizabeth was of Aaron's race. 6. They were both righteous before God, being blameless in all the commands and ordinances of the Lord. 7. But they had no child, as Elizabeth was barren; and they were both now advanced in years.

8. Now while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, 9. According to custom, he burnt incense when he went into the temple. 10. And as the whole multitude were

VOL. III.

R

28

praying without at the time of incense, 11. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the incense altar.

12. And Zacharias seeing him he was troubled and feared him. 13. But he said to him, Fear not, Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall have a son, whom thou shalt call John. 14. And thou shalt have joy and gladness, for many shall rejoice at his birth. 15. For he shall be great before the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be full of the Holy Spirit even from his birth. 16. And many of the Israelites he shall turn to the Lord their God. 17. And he shall go before the Messiah in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts and affections of the fathers to the children (even the Jews towards the Gentiles,) and those that are disobedient to the laws of God, to the wisdom of the Just One; (even to the gospel of Christ); to prepare a people for the Lord (Christ).

18. But Zacharias said to the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well advanced in years.

19. But the angel, said to him, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak to thee, and declare to thee these glad tidings. 20. Now, lo, thou shalt be dumb, until these things be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their sea

son.

21. Now the people waited for Zacharias, and wondered that he tarried so long in the temple. 22. But when he came out he could not speak: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he made signs to them, and remained dumb.

23. But when the days of his ministration were ended, he departed to his own house.

24. After those days his wife Elizabeth became

pregnant, and concealed herself five months, saying, 25. Thus hath the Lord done to me, when he regarded me, to take away my reproach among mankind.

26. In the sixth month likewise, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27. To a virgin of David's house, espoused to a man named Joseph, her name was Mary.

28. Now the angel coming to her, said, Hail, O highly favoured one, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29. But seeing him, she was much troubled at his saying, and considered in her mind what sort of salutation this would be.

30. But the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary; for thou art in favour with God. 31. So much that, lo, thou shalt become pregnant, (supernaturally) and have a son, called JESUS. 32. He shall be great, and be called The Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give him the throne (typified by that) of David his father. 33. And he shall reign over Jacob's spiritual seed for ever; for his kingdom shall have no end.

34. Then Mary said to the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35. But the angel replied, The Holy Spirit shall render thee prolific, and the power of the Most High shall form a child out of thy substance, (as he formed man out of the earth, and the woman out of the man, at first;) therefore that holy child thou shalt have shall be called the Son of God. 36. And lo, thy cousin Elizabeth, who was called barren, is also become pregnant in her old age, and gone six months with a son. 37. For with God nothing is impossible.

38. Then Mary said, Behold the Lord's servant, let thy word to me be fulfilled. Then the angel left her.

39. Now Mary arose, and went to the hill country with haste, to a city of Juda; 40. And entering Zacharias' house, saluted Elizabeth.

41. Now Elizabeth hearing Mary's salutation, her child leaped for joy before it was born; and she was filled with the influences of the Holy Spirit. 42. And spake aloud, saying, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is thine offspring! 43. And why is this to me, that my Lord's mother should come to me? 44. And as soon as I heard thy salutation's voice, my babe leaped for joy ere it was born. 45. And blessed is she that believed that the things told her from the Lord shall be performed.

46. Now Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, 47. And my spirit rejoiceth in God my Saviour. 48. Because he regarded his servant's humble state; for, lo, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed, 49. Because the Mighty One hath done for me great things; whose name is holy. 50. And his mercy is on them that fear him to all generations. 51. He hath done mightily with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52. He put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of humble state. 58. He filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he sent empty away. 54. Remembering his mercy, he helped his servant Israel, 55. As he promised to our fathers, Abraham, and his seed for

ever.

56. Mary abode with her about three months, and then returned home.

57. Now Elizabeth's full time came to be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

58. Now her neighbours and relations hearing that the Lord had shewed great mercy to her, rejoiced with her.

59. On the eighth day also, they came to circumcise the child; and called him Zacharias by his father's name.

60. Then his mother said, Not so, but he shall be called John. 61. Then they said to her, None of thy kindred is called by this name.

62. Then they made signs to his father, what he would have him called. 63. And he signed for a writing table, and wrote thus, His name is John. And they all wondered. 64. Then his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God.

65. And all that dwelt around feared; and all these things were published through all the hill country of Judea. 66. And all who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, What kind of child shall this be! And the Lord powerfully favoured him.

67. Now his father Zacharias was full of the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, 68. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people. 69. Having raised up a powerful Saviour for us, of his servant David's race. 70. As he spake by his holy prophets, since the world began; 71. To save us from our (spiritual) enemies, from the power of all that hate us, 72. To perform the mercy promised to the fathers (by sending Messiah) and to remember his holy covenant, 73. According to the oath he sware to our father Abraham, 74. That being delivered from the power of our enemies, we might serve him without fear, 75. In holiness, and righteousness, before him all our days.

76. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord (Christ), to prepare the way for him, 77. To give knowledge of salvation to his people, by remission of their sins, 78. Through our God's tender mercy, whereby the day-spring (the Messias) from on high hath visited us, 79. To give light (divine) to those in darkness, (error and ignorance) and in the shadow of death (the region of abomin

« AnteriorContinuar »