Gabriel Visits Mary

26Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

28Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!”

29But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.

30The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

31Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’

32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David,

33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.”

34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?”

35The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.

36Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.

37For everything spoken by God is possible.”

38Mary said, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word.” The angel departed from her.

39Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,

40and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42She called out with a loud voice, and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

43Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!

45Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!”