Luke 1:73–2:1

73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham.e

He has given us the privilege,

74 since we have been rescued

from the hand of our enemies,

to serve him without fear

75 in holiness and righteousness

in his presence all our days.

76 And you, child, will be called

a prophet of the Most High,f

for you will go before the Lord

to prepare his ways,g

77 to give his people knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins.h

78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion,

the dawn from on highi will visit us

79 to shine on those who live in darkness

and the shadow of death,j

to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80 The child grew up and became strong in spirit,A and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustusl that the whole empireB should be registered.