The Life of Jesus

to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee.

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.

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

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God.

And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren.

For no word from God shall be void of power.

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

And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah;

and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth.

And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit;

and she lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto me?

For behold, when the voice of thy salutation came into mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name.

And his mercy is unto generations and generations On them that fear him.

He hath showed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart.