Luke 1:39–56

Mary Visits Elizabeth

³⁹Soon afterwards Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the hill country of Judea. ⁴⁰She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit ⁴²and said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³Why should this great thing happen to me, that my Lord’s mother comes to visit me? ⁴⁴For as soon as I heard your greeting, the baby within me jumped with gladness. ⁴⁵How happy you are to believe that the Lord’s message to you will come true!”

Mary’s Song of Praise

^46*Mary said,

“My heart praises the Lord;

^47*my soul is glad because of God my Saviour,

^48*for he has remembered me, his lowly servant!

From now on all people will call me happy,

^49*because of the great things the Mighty God has done for me.

His name is holy;

^50*from one generation to another

he shows mercy to those who honour him.

^51*He has stretched out his mighty arm

and scattered the proud with all their plans.

^52*He has brought down mighty kings from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly.

^53*He has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away with empty hands.

^54*He has kept the promise he made to our ancestors,

and has come to the help of his servant Israel.

^55*He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham

and to all his descendants for ever!”

⁵⁶Mary stayed about three months with Elizabeth and then went back home.