19. The angel answered, “I am Gabriel, God's servant, and I was sent to tell you this good news.
20. You have not believed what I have said. So you will not be able to say a thing until all this happens. But everything will take place when it is supposed to.”
21. The crowd was waiting for Zechariah and kept wondering why he was staying so long in the temple.
22. When he did come out, he could not speak, and they knew he had seen a vision. He motioned to them with his hands, but did not say a thing.
23. When Zechariah's time of service in the temple was over, he went home.
24. Soon after that, his wife was expecting a baby, and for five months she did not leave the house. She said to herself,
25. “What the Lord has done for me will keep people from looking down on me.”
26. One month later God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee
27. with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph from the family of King David.
28. The angel greeted Mary and said, “You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.”
29. Mary was confused by the angel's words and wondered what they meant.
30. Then the angel told Mary, “Don't be afraid! God is pleased with you,
31. and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus.
32. He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was.
33. He will rule the people of Israel for ever, and his kingdom will never end.”
34. Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not married!”
35. The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God's power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God.
36. Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son.
37. Nothing is impossible for God!”
38. Mary said, “I am the Lord's servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.
39. A short time later Mary hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea.