The Magnificat

46Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord.

47My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,

48for he has looked at the humble state of his handmaid. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.

49For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name.

50His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.

51He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52He has put down princes from their thrones. And has exalted the lowly.

53He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.

54He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,

55As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.”

57Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son.

58Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her.

59On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of the father.

60His mother answered, “Not so; but he will be called John.”

61They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”

62They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.

63He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” They all marveled.

64His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.

65Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.

66All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” The hand of the Lord was with him.