51
He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52
He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.
53
He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
54
He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,
55
As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever."
56
And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.
57
Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son.
58
When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.
59
So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias.
60
His mother answered and said, "No; he shall be called John."
61
But they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name."
62
So they made signs to his father--what he would have him called.
63
And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled.
64
Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.
65
Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea.
66
And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, "What kind of child will this be?" And the hand of the Lord was with him.
67
Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
68
"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people,
69
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David,
70
As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began,
71
That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us,