42. In a loud voice she said to Mary, “God has blessed you more than any other woman. And God has blessed the baby you will have.
43. You are the mother of my Lord, and you have come to me! Why has something so good happened to me?
44. When I heard your voice, the baby inside me jumped with joy.
45. Great blessings are yours because you believed what the Lord said to you! You believed this would happen.”
46. Then Mary said, “I praise the Lord with all my heart.
47. I am very happy because God is my Savior.
48. I am not important, but he has shown his care for me, his lowly servant. From now until the end of time, people will remember how much God blessed me.
49. Yes, the Powerful One has done great things for me. His name is very holy.
50. He always gives mercy to those who worship him.
51. He reached out his arm and showed his power. He scattered those who are proud and think great things about themselves.
52. He brought down rulers from their thrones and raised up the humble people.
53. He filled the hungry with good things, but he sent the rich away with nothing.
54. God has helped Israel—the people he chose to serve him. He did not forget his promise to give us his mercy.
55. He has done what he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”
56. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then went home.
57. When it was time for Elizabeth to give birth, she had a boy.
58. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord was very good to her, and they were happy for her.
59. When the baby was eight days old, they came to circumcise him. They wanted to name him Zechariah because this was his father’s name.
60. But his mother said, “No, he will be named John.”