³⁹At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in Judea’s hill country. ⁴⁰There she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby inside her jumped. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴²In a loud voice she called out, “God has blessed you more than other women. And blessed is the child you will have! ⁴³But why is God so kind to me? Why has the mother of my Lord come to me? ⁴⁴As soon as I heard the sound of your voice, the baby inside me jumped for joy. ⁴⁵You are a woman God has blessed. You have believed that what the Lord has said to you will be done!”

Mary’s Song

⁴⁶Mary said,

“My soul gives glory to the Lord.

⁴⁷My spirit delights in God my Savior.

⁴⁸He has taken note of me

even though I am not important.

From now on all people will call me blessed.

⁴⁹The Mighty One has done great things for me.

His name is holy.

⁵⁰He shows his mercy to those who have respect for him,

from parent to child down through the years.

⁵¹He has done mighty things with his arm.

He has scattered those who are proud in their deepest thoughts.

⁵²He has brought down rulers from their thrones.

But he has lifted up people who are not important.

⁵³He has filled those who are hungry with good things.

But he has sent those who are rich away empty.

⁵⁴He has helped the people of Israel, who serve him.

He has always remembered to be kind

⁵⁵to Abraham and his children down through the years.

He has done it just as he said to our people of long ago.”

⁵⁶Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months. Then she returned home.

Read in Logos

Luke 1:45: “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”