Monday 24 September 2012

10The Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying,11“Ask a sign of the Lord your God;ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.”

12But Ahaz said, “I won’t ask.I won’t tempt the Lord.”

13He said, “Listen now, house of David.Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men,that you will try the patience of my God also?14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.Behold, the virgin will conceive,and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.· · · some verses are not read10Take counsel together, and it will be brought to nothing;speak the word, and it will not stand,for God is with us.”

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 servant.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 and 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.”

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 David’s house.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 womband give birth to a son,and shall name him ‘Jesus.’32He will be greatand 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 onewho 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 herwho was called barren.37For nothing spoken by God is impossible.”

38Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord;let it be done to me according to your word.”

Then the angel departed from her.