Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,x 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.y 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,z and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lorda should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song

1:46–53pp—1Sa 2:1–10

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lordb

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,c

48 for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.d

From now on all generations will call me blessed,e

49 for the Mighty One has done great thingsf for me—

holy is his name.g

50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.h

51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;i

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.j

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.k

53 He has filled the hungry with good thingsl

but has sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be mercifulm

55 to Abraham and his descendantsn forever,

just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.