23. When the days of his service were over, he went home.
24. Later, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and didn’t go out in public for five months. She said,
25. “The Lord has done this for me now. He has removed my public disgrace.”
26. Six months after Elizabeth had become pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee.
27. The angel went to a virgin promised in marriage to a descendant of David named Joseph. The virgin’s name was Mary.
28. When the angel entered her home, he greeted her and said, “You are favored by the Lord! The Lord is with you.”
29. She was startled by what the angel said and tried to figure out what this greeting meant.
30. The angel told her,“Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God.
31. You will become pregnant, give birth to a son,and name him Jesus.
32. He will be a great manand will be called the Son of the Most High.The Lord God will give himthe throne of his ancestor David.
33. Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever,and his kingdom will never end.”
34. Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? I’ve never had sexual intercourse.”
35. The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God.