1 Juba mitmed on võtnud ette koostada ülevaadet neist asjust, mis meie seas on täide viidud, 2 kooskõlas sellega, kuidas pealtnägijad ja sulased need on meile edasi andnud. 3 Nõnda olen minagi otsustanud, kuna ma olen algusest peale kõik täpselt järele uurinud, kirjutada korralik ülevaade sulle, kõrgesti austatud Teofilos, 4 et sa teaksid, kui usaldusväärne on sulle antud õpetus.

5 Juuda kuninga Heroodese ajal elas Sakariase nimeline preester, Abija teenistuskorrast.*1:5 Preesterkond oli jagatud 24 teenistuskorraks. Tema naine oli Aaroni järeltulija ja naise nimi oli Eliisabet. 6 Nad mõlemad olid õiged Jumala silmis, elades laitmatult kõigis Issanda käskudes ja korraldustes. 7 Aga neil ei olnud last, sest Eliisabet oli viljatu, ja nad mõlemad olid eakad.

8 Kord aga, kui Sakarias oli oma teenistuskorra ajal preestritalituses Jumala ees, 9 langes talle liisk minna preestrite kombe kohaselt Issanda templisse viirukit suitsutama. 10 Ja kui viiruki suitsutamise aeg saabus, palvetas kokku tulnud rahvahulk väljas.

11 Siis ilmus talle Issanda ingel, seistes suitsutusaltari paremal pool. 12 Teda nähes Sakarias ehmus ja teda valdas hirm. 13 Kuid ingel ütles talle: „Ära karda, Sakarias, sest su palvet on kuuldud. Su naine Eliisabet sünnitab sulle poja, ja sa paned talle nimeks Johannes. 14 Sul on temast rõõmu ja hõiskamist ning paljud rõõmustavad tema sündimisest, 15 sest ta saab suureks Issanda silmis. Ta ei tohi juua veini ega teisi kääritatud jooke, ja ta täidetakse Püha Vaimuga juba enne sündimist emaihus. 16 Ta pöörab palju Iisraeli rahvast tagasi Issanda, nende Jumala poole. 17 Ta kõnnib Issanda ees Eelija vaimus ja väes, et pöörata vanemate südamed nende laste poole ja sõnakuulmatud õigete tarkusse, et valmistada rahvas ette Issanda jaoks."

18 Sakarias küsis inglilt: „Kuidas ma saan selles kindel olla? Ma olen juba vana mees ja mu nainegi on eakas."

19 Ingel vastas talle: „Mina olen Gaabriel, kes seisab Jumala ees, ja mind on läkitatud sinuga rääkima ja kuulutama sulle seda rõõmusõnumit. 20 Nüüdsest jääd sa tummaks ega saa rääkida päevani, mil need asjad sünnivad, sest sa ei uskunud mu sõnu, mis lähevad täide määratud ajal."

21 Samal ajal ootas rahvas Sakariast ja pani imeks, et ta nii kaua templis viibib. 22 Kui ta lõpuks välja tuli, siis ei saanud ta nendega rääkida. Nad mõistsid, et ta oli templis näinud nägemust, sest ta viipas neile käega, kuid ei suutnud rääkida.

23 Kui Sakariase teenistuskord läbi sai, läks ta koju. 24 Mõne aja pärast jäi ta naine Eliisabet lapseootele ja tõmbus viieks kuuks üksindusse. Ta ütles: 25 „Nõnda on Issand mulle neil päevil teinud, et ta näitas mulle oma soosingut ning võttis ära mu häbi inimeste ees."

26 Kuue kuu pärast läkitas Jumal ingel Gaabrieli Naatsareti linna Galileas, 27 neitsi juurde, kelle nimi oli Maarja. Maarja oli kihlatud Joosepiga, kes põlvnes Taaveti soost. 28 Gaabriel läks tema juurde ja ütles: „Ole tervitatud, sa armuleidnu! Issand on sinuga!"

29 Maarja kohkus väga neist sõnadest ja mõtles, mida see tervitus võiks tähendada. 30 Aga ingel ütles talle: „Ära karda, Maarja, sest sa oled leidnud armu Jumala silmis! 31 Sa jääd lapseootele ja sünnitad poja ja paned talle nimeks Jeesus.*1:31 Nimi Jeesus tuleb heebrea keelsest Yeshua, mille juur tähendab päästet, kuid täisnimi tähendab „Issand päästab". 32 Tema saab suureks ja teda kutsutakse Kõigekõrgema Pojaks ning Issand Jumal annab talle tema esiisa Taaveti trooni. 33 Ta valitseb kuningana Jaakobi soo üle igavesti ning tema valitsus ei lõpe iialgi."

34 Maarja küsis inglilt: „Kuidas see võimalik on, kui ma olen neitsi?"

35 Ingel vastas talle: „Püha Vaim tuleb sinu peale ja Kõigekõrgema vägi katab sind. Seepärast on laps, kes sinust sünnib, Püha, ja teda kutsutakse Jumala Pojaks. 36 Isegi su sugulane Eliisabet on pojaootel oma vanas eas ja see on kuues kuu temal, keda öeldi olevat viljatu. 37 Sest Jumala käes ei ole ükski asi võimatu."

38 Maarja ütles: „Mina olen Issanda teenija, sündigu mulle nii, nagu sa ütlesid!" Ja ingel läks tema juurest ära.

39 Neil päevil asus Maarja teele ja ruttas mäestikku Juuda linna. 40 Ta läks Sakariase majja ja tervitas Eliisabetti. 41 Kui Eliisabet kuulis Maarja tervitust, hüppas laps tema üsas ja Eliisabet sai täis Püha Vaimu. 42 Ta hüüdis valju häälega: „Õnnistatud oled sina naiste seas ja õnnistatud on laps, keda sa kannad!

43 Aga miks saab mulle osaks selline arm, et mu Issanda ema tuleb minu juurde? 44 Niipea kui su tervituse hääl mu kõrvu kostis, hüppas laps mu ihus rõõmu pärast. 45 Õnnistatud on see, kes on uskunud, et Issand täidab oma tõotused, mis ta on lubanud!"

46 Maarja ütles:

„Mu hing ülistab Issandat

47 ja mu vaim hõiskab Jumalas, minu Päästjas,

48 sest ta on pannud tähele oma sulase alandlikku olekut.

Siitpeale hüüavad mind õnnistatuks kõik sugupõlved,

49 sest mulle on suuri asju teinud Vägev.

Tema nimi on püha,

50 tema halastus ulatub nendeni, kes teda kardavad,

sugupõlvest sugupõlveni.

51 Ta on teinud vägevaid tegusid oma käega,

ta on pillutanud laiali need, kes on uhked oma mõtetes.

52 Ta on tõuganud maha valitsejad aujärgedelt

ja ülendanud alandlikke.

53 Näljased on ta täitnud heade andidega,

ent rikkad saatnud tühjalt minema.

54 Ta on kandnud hoolt oma sulase Iisraeli eest,

ja osutanud halastust,

55 nõnda nagu ta on lubanud meie esivanematele,

Aabrahamile ja tema järeltulijatele igavesti."

56 Maarja jäi Eliisabeti juurde umbes kolmeks kuuks ja pöördus siis tagasi koju.

57 Kui Eliisabetil tuli aeg sünnitada, tõi ta ilmale poja. 58 Tema naabrid ja sugulased kuulsid, et Issand oli osutanud talle suurt halastust, ja nad rõõmustasid koos temaga.

59 Nad tulid kaheksandal päeval lapse ümberlõikamisele ja tahtsid panna talle tema isa nime Sakarias. 60 Kuid lapse ema ütles: „Ei, tema nimi peab olema Johannes!" 61 Nad ütlesid talle: „Su suguvõsas pole kedagi sellenimelist!" 62 Ja nad viipasid lapse isale, küsides, mis nime tema tahab lapsele panna. 63 Sakarias küsis tahvlit ning kirjutas kõigi imestuseks: „Tema nimi on Johannes!" 64 Samal hetkel pääsesid ta keelepaelad valla ja ta hakkas rääkima, kiites Jumalat.

65 Aukartus valdas kõiki naabreid ja neist asjust räägiti kogu Juuda mägismaal. 66 Kõik, kes sellest kuulsid, imestasid ja küsisid: „Mis küll saab sellest lapsest?" Sest Issanda käsi oli temaga.

67 Lapse isa Sakarias sai täis Püha Vaimu ja prohveteeris:

68 „Kiidetud olgu Issand, Iisraeli Jumal,

et ta on tulnud oma rahva hulka ja nad lunastanud.

69 Ta on meile üles tõstnud päästesarve

oma sulase Taaveti soost,

70 nagu ta on rääkinud ajastute algusest oma pühade prohvetite suu kaudu,

71 pääste meie vaenlaste käest

ja kõigi vihameeste käest,

72 et armu anda meie vanematele

ja pidada meeles oma püha lepingut,

73 vannet, mille ta on vandunud meie esiisale Aabrahamile:

74 päästa meid meie vaenlaste käest

ja lubada meil teda kartmatult teenida

75 pühaduses ja õigluses tema ees kõik meie elupäevad.

76 Ja sind, minu laps, hüütakse Kõigekõrgema prohvetiks,

sest sa lähed Issanda ees temale teed valmistama,

77 et anda tema rahvale teada päästest

nende pattude andeksandmises,

78 meie Jumala südamliku halastuse läbi,

millega meile tuleb päikesetõus taevast,

79 et paista nende peale, kes elavad pimeduses ja surma varjus

ja juhtida meie jalgu rahuteele."

80 Aga laps kasvas ja sai tugevaks vaimus. Ta elas kõrbes selle päevani, mil ta astus avalikult Iisraeli ette.

1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 3 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, 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, 9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 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. 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 the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 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. 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19 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. 20 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. 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. 22 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. 23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 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. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 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: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 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. 36 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. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. 39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 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 And she 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 salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. 56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. 57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 59 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. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa. 66 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. 67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 76 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; 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.