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Luke 2: Hebrews and English:

 Hebrews:

הפרק 2

ויהי בימים ההם ותצא דת מאת הקיסר אוגוסטוס לספר את כל ישבי תבל׃

2 וזה המפקד היה הראשון בהיות קוריניוס שליט בסוריא׃

3 וילכו כלם להתפקד איש לעירו׃

4 ויעל גם יוסף מן הגליל מעיר נצרת אל יהודה לעיר דוד הנקראה בית לחם כי היה מבית דוד וממשפחתו׃

5 להתפקד עם מרים המארשה לו והיא הרה׃

6 ויהי בהיותם שם וימלאו ימיה ללדת׃

7 ותלד את בנה הבכור ותחתלהו ותשכיבהו באבוס כי לא היה להם מקום במלון׃

8 ורעים היו בארץ ההיא לנים בשדה ושמרים את משמרות הלילה בעדרם׃

9 והנה מלאך יהוה נצב עליהם וכבוד יהוה הופיע עליהם מסביב וייראו יראה גדולה׃

10 ויאמר אליהם המלאך אל תיראו כי הנני מבשר אתכם שמחה גדולה אשר תהיה לכל העם׃

11 כי היום ילד לכם בעיר דוד מושיע אשר הוא המשיח האדון׃

12 וזה לכם האות תמצאון ילד מחתל ומנח באבוס׃

13 ויהי פתאם אצל המלאך המון צבא השמים והם משבחים את האלהים ואמרים׃

14 כבוד במרומים לאלהים ובארץ שלום בבני אדם רצונו׃

15 ויהי כאשר עלו מעליהם המלאכים השמימה ויאמרו הרעים איש אל רעהו נעברה נא עד בית לחם ונראה המעשה הזה אשר הודיענו יהוה׃

16 וימהרו לבוא וימצאו את מרים ואת יוסף ואת הילד שכב באבוס׃

17 ויראו וישמיעו את הדבר הנאמר אליהם על הגער הזה׃

18 וכל השמעים תמהו על הדברים אשר דברו אליהם הרעים׃

19 ומרים שמרה את הדברים האלה ותחשבם בלבה׃

20 וישובו הרעים מהללים ומשבחים את האלהים על כל אשר שמעו וראו כפי אשר נאמר אליהם׃

21 ויהי במלאת לנער שמנה ימים וימול ויקרא שמו ישוע כשם אשר קרא לו המלאך בטרם הרה בבטן׃

22 וימלאו ימי טהרה לפי תורת משה ויעלהו לירושלים להעמידו לפני יהוה׃

23 כאשר כתוב בתורת יהוה כל זכר פטר רחם יקרא קדש ליהוה׃

24 ולתת קרבן כאמור בתורת יהוה שתי תרים או שני בני יונה׃

25 והנה איש היה בירושלים ושמו שמעון והוא איש צדיק וחסיד מחכה לנחמת ישראל ורוח הקדש היה עליו׃

26 ולו נגלה ברוח הקדש כי לא יראה מות עד ראותו את משיח יהוה׃

27 ויבא ברוח אל המקדש ויהי כאשר הביאו הוריו את הנער ישוע לעשות עליו כמשפט התורה׃

28 ויקחהו על זרעותיו ויברך את האלהים ויאמר׃

29 עתה תפטר את עבדך כדברך אדני בשלום׃

30 כי ראו עיני את ישועתך׃

31 אשר הכינות לפני כל העמים׃

32 אור לגלות עיני הגוים ותפארת ישראל עמך׃

33 ויוסף ואמו תמהים על הדברים הנאמרים עליו׃

34 ויברך אותם שמעון ויאמר אל מרים אמו הנה זה מוסד לנפילה ולתקומה לרבים בישראל ולאות מריבה׃

35 וגם בנפשך תחתר חרב למען תגלינה מחשבות לבב רבים׃

36 ותהי שם חנה אשה נביאה בת פנואל משבט אשר והיא באה בימים וחיתה עם בעלה שבע שנים אחרי בתוליה׃

37 והיא אלמנה כארבע ושמנים שנה ולא משה מן המקדש ובצום ובתחנונים עבדה את האלהים לילה ויום׃

38 ותקם בשעה ההיא ותגש להדות ליהוה ותדבר עליו באזני כל המחכים לגאלה בירושלים׃

39 ויכלו את הכל כפי תורת יהוה וישובו הגלילה אל נצרת עירם׃

40 ויגדל הנער ויחזק ברוח וימלא חכמה וחסד אלהים עמו׃

41 ועלו הוריו ירושלים שנה בשנה לחג הפסח׃

42 ויהי בהיותו בן שתים עשרה שנה ויעלו ירושלים כמשפט החג׃

43 וימלאו את הימים וישובו ויותר ישוע הנער בירושלים ויוסף ואמו לא ידעו׃

44 ויחשבו כי עם חבל הארחים הוא וילכו כדרך יום ויבקשהו בין הקרובים והמידעים׃

45 ולא מצאהו וישבו ירושלים לבקשו׃

46 ויהי אחרי שלשת ימים וימצאהו במקדש ישב בתוך המורים שמע אליהם ושאל אתם׃

47 וכל השמעים אליו השתוממו על שכלו ועל תשובתיו׃

48 ויהי כראותם אתו ויחרדו ותאמר אליו אמו בני מדוע ככה עשית לנו הנה אביך ואנכי בעצבת לב בקשנוך׃

49 ויאמר אליהם למה זה בקשתם אתי הלא ידעתם כי עלי להיות באשר לאבי׃

50 והם לא הבינו את הדבר אשר דבר אליהם׃

51 וירד אתם ויבא אל נצרת ויכנע להם ואמו שמרה בלבה את כל הדברים האלה׃

52 וישוע הלך וגדל בחכמה ומקומה ובחן עם אלהים ועם אנשים׃

English:

"The Birth of Jesus

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.  (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.  And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.  He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.  She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

The Shepherds and Angels

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.  The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!  And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven,

    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.  After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.  All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.  The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.  The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

The Prophecy of Simeon

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.  That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required,  Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,

    as you have promised.

I have seen your salvation,

     which you have prepared for all people.

He is a light to reveal God to the nations,

    and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.  Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him.  As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

The Prophecy of Anna

Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years.  Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.  She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.  She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee.  There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Jesus Speaks with the Teachers

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.  When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual.  After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first,  because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.

When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there.  Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.  All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”

“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant.

Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.

Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people."

Matthew 3: Hebrews and English:

 Hebrews:

הפרק 3

בימים ההם בא יוחנן המטביל ויהי קרא במדבר יהודה לאמר׃

2 שובו כי מלכות השמים הגיעה׃

3 הלא זה הוא אשר נבא עליו ישעיהו הנביא לאמר קול קורא במדבר פנו דרך יהוה ישרו מסלותיו׃

4 והוא יוחנן לבושו שער גמלים ואזור עור במתניו ומאכלו חגבים ודבש היער׃

5 ויצאו אליו ישבי ירושלים וכל יהודה וכל ככר הירדן׃

6 ויטבלו על ידו בירדן מתודים את חטאתם׃

7 ויהי כראותו רבים מן הפרושים והצדוקים נגשים לטבילתו ויאמר להם ילדי הצפעונים מי השכיל אתכם להמלט מן הקצף הבא׃

8 לכן עשו פרי הראוי לתשובה׃

9 ואל תחשבו בלבבכם לאמר אברהם הוא אבינו כי אני אמר לכם כי מן האבנים האלה יכול האלהים להקים בנים לאברהם׃

10 וכבר הושם הגרזן על שרש העצים והנה כל עץ אשר איננו עשה פרי טוב יגדע וישלך באש׃

11 הן אנכי טובל אתכם במים לתשובה והבא אחרי חזק הוא ממני אשר אינני כדי לשאת נעליו והוא יטבל אתכם ברוח הקדש ובאש׃

12 אשר בידו המזרה וזרה את גרנו ואסף את דגנו אל אוצרו ואת המץ ישרפנו באש אשר לא תכבה׃

13 ויבא ישוע מן הגליל הירדנה אל יוחנן להטבל על ידו׃

14 ויוחנן חשך אותו לאמר אני צריך להטבל על ידך ואתה בא אלי׃

15 ויען ישוע ויאמר אליו הניחה לי כי כן נאוה לנו למלא כל הצדקה וינח לו׃

16 ויהי כאשר נטבל ישוע וימהר לעלות מן המים והנה נפתחו לו השמים וירא את רוח אלהים יורדת כיונה ונחה עליו׃

17 והנה קול מן השמים אומר זה בני ידידי אשר רצתה נפשי בו׃

English:

"John the Baptist Prepares the Way

In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was,  “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said,

“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!

Clear the road for him!’”

John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.  People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John.  And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath?  Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.  Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”

The Baptism of Jesus

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.  But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”

But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.

After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

2 Samuel 2: Hebrews and English:

 Hebrews:

הפרק 2

ויהי אחרי כן וישאל דוד ביהוה לאמר האעלה באחת ערי יהודה ויאמר יהוה אליו עלה ויאמר דוד אנה אעלה ויאמר חברנה׃

2 ויעל שם דוד וגם שתי נשיו אחינעם היזרעלית ואביגיל אשת נבל הכרמלי׃

3 ואנשיו אשר עמו העלה דוד איש וביתו וישבו בערי חברון׃

4 ויבאו אנשי יהודה וימשחו שם את דוד למלך על בית יהודה ויגדו לדוד לאמר אנשי יביש גלעד אשר קברו את שאול׃

5 וישלח דוד מלאכים אל אנשי יביש גלעד ויאמר אליהם ברכים אתם ליהוה אשר עשיתם החסד הזה עם אדניכם עם שאול ותקברו אתו׃

6 ועתה יעש יהוה עמכם חסד ואמת וגם אנכי אעשה אתכם הטובה הזאת אשר עשיתם הדבר הזה׃

7 ועתה תחזקנה ידיכם והיו לבני חיל כי מת אדניכם שאול וגם אתי משחו בית יהודה למלך עליהם׃

8 ואבנר בן נר שר צבא אשר לשאול לקח את איש בשת בן שאול ויעברהו מחנים׃

9 וימלכהו אל הגלעד ואל האשורי ואל יזרעאל ועל אפרים ועל בנימן ועל ישראל כלה׃

10 בן ארבעים שנה איש בשת בן שאול במלכו על ישראל ושתים שנים מלך אך בית יהודה היו אחרי דוד׃

11 ויהי מספר הימים אשר היה דוד מלך בחברון על בית יהודה שבע שנים וששה חדשים׃

12 ויצא אבנר בן נר ועבדי איש בשת בן שאול ממחנים גבעונה׃

13 ויואב בן צרויה ועבדי דוד יצאו ויפגשום על ברכת גבעון יחדו וישבו אלה על הברכה מזה ואלה על הברכה מזה׃

14 ויאמר אבנר אל יואב יקומו נא הנערים וישחקו לפנינו ויאמר יואב יקמו׃

15 ויקמו ויעברו במספר שנים עשר לבנימן ולאיש בשת בן שאול ושנים עשר מעבדי דוד׃

16 ויחזקו איש בראש רעהו וחרבו בצד רעהו ויפלו יחדו ויקרא למקום ההוא חלקת הצרים אשר בגבעון׃

17 ותהי המלחמה קשה עד מאד ביום ההוא וינגף אבנר ואנשי ישראל לפני עבדי דוד׃

18 ויהיו שם שלשה בני צרויה יואב ואבישי ועשהאל ועשהאל קל ברגליו כאחד הצבים אשר בשדה׃

19 וירדף עשהאל אחרי אבנר ולא נטה ללכת על הימין ועל השמאול מאחרי אבנר׃

20 ויפן אבנר אחריו ויאמר האתה זה עשהאל ויאמר אנכי׃

21 ויאמר לו אבנר נטה לך על ימינך או על שמאלך ואחז לך אחד מהנערים וקח לך את חלצתו ולא אבה עשהאל לסור מאחריו׃

22 ויסף עוד אבנר לאמר אל עשהאל סור לך מאחרי למה אככה ארצה ואיך אשא פני אל יואב אחיך׃

23 וימאן לסור ויכהו אבנר באחרי החנית אל החמש ותצא החנית מאחריו ויפל שם וימת תחתו ויהי כל הבא אל המקום אשר נפל שם עשהאל וימת ויעמדו׃

24 וירדפו יואב ואבישי אחרי אבנר והשמש באה והמה באו עד גבעת אמה אשר על פני גיח דרך מדבר גבעון׃

25 ויתקבצו בני בנימן אחרי אבנר ויהיו לאגדה אחת ויעמדו על ראש גבעה אחת׃

26 ויקרא אבנר אל יואב ויאמר הלנצח תאכל חרב הלוא ידעתה כי מרה תהיה באחרונה ועד מתי לא תאמר לעם לשוב מאחרי אחיהם׃

27 ויאמר יואב חי האלהים כי לולא דברת כי אז מהבקר נעלה העם איש מאחרי אחיו׃

28 ויתקע יואב בשופר ויעמדו כל העם ולא ירדפו עוד אחרי ישראל ולא יספו עוד להלחם׃

29 ואבנר ואנשיו הלכו בערבה כל הלילה ההוא ויעברו את הירדן וילכו כל הבתרון ויבאו מחנים׃

30 ויואב שב מאחרי אבנר ויקבץ את כל העם ויפקדו מעבדי דוד תשעה עשר איש ועשהאל׃

31 ועבדי דוד הכו מבנימן ובאנשי אבנר שלש מאות וששים איש מתו׃

32 וישאו את עשהאל ויקברהו בקבר אביו אשר בית לחם וילכו כל הלילה יואב ואנשיו ויאר להם בחברון׃

English:

"David Anointed King of Judah

After this, David asked the Lord, “Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?”

“Yes,” the Lord replied.

Then David asked, “Which town should I go to?”

“To Hebron,” the Lord answered.

David’s two wives were Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. So David and his wives  and his men and their families all moved to Judah, and they settled in the villages near Hebron.  Then the men of Judah came to David and anointed him king over the people of Judah.

When David heard that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul,  he sent them this message: “May the Lord bless you for being so loyal to your master Saul and giving him a decent burial.  May the Lord be loyal to you in return and reward you with his unfailing love! And I, too, will reward you for what you have done.  Now that Saul is dead, I ask you to be my strong and loyal subjects like the people of Judah, who have anointed me as their new king.”

Ishbosheth Proclaimed King of Israel

But Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, had already gone to Mahanaim with Saul’s son Ishbosheth.  There he proclaimed Ishbosheth king over Gilead, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, the land of the Ashurites, and all the rest of Israel.

Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he became king, and he ruled from Mahanaim for two years. Meanwhile, the people of Judah remained loyal to David.  David made Hebron his capital, and he ruled as king of Judah for seven and a half years.

War between Israel and Judah

One day Abner led Ishbosheth’s troops from Mahanaim to Gibeon.  About the same time, Joab son of Zeruiah led David’s troops out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. The two groups sat down there, facing each other from opposite sides of the pool.

Then Abner suggested to Joab, “Let’s have a few of our warriors fight hand to hand here in front of us.”

“All right,” Joab agreed.  So twelve men were chosen to fight from each side—twelve men of Benjamin representing Ishbosheth son of Saul, and twelve representing David.  Each one grabbed his opponent by the hair and thrust his sword into the other’s side so that all of them died. So this place at Gibeon has been known ever since as the Field of Swords.

A fierce battle followed that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the forces of David.

The Death of Asahel

Joab, Abishai, and Asahel—the three sons of Zeruiah—were among David’s forces that day. Asahel could run like a gazelle,  and he began chasing Abner. He pursued him relentlessly, not stopping for anything.  When Abner looked back and saw him coming, he called out, “Is that you, Asahel?”

“Yes, it is,” he replied.

“Go fight someone else!” Abner warned. “Take on one of the younger men, and strip him of his weapons.” But Asahel kept right on chasing Abner.

Again Abner shouted to him, “Get away from here! I don’t want to kill you. How could I ever face your brother Joab again?”

But Asahel refused to turn back, so Abner thrust the butt end of his spear through Asahel’s stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He stumbled to the ground and died there. And everyone who came by that spot stopped and stood still when they saw Asahel lying there.

When Joab and Abishai found out what had happened, they set out after Abner. The sun was just going down as they arrived at the hill of Ammah near Giah, along the road to the wilderness of Gibeon.  Abner’s troops from the tribe of Benjamin regrouped there at the top of the hill to take a stand.

Abner shouted down to Joab, “Must we always be killing each other? Don’t you realize that bitterness is the only result? When will you call off your men from chasing their Israelite brothers?”

Then Joab said, “God only knows what would have happened if you hadn’t spoken, for we would have chased you all night if necessary.” So Joab blew the ram’s horn, and his men stopped chasing the troops of Israel.

All that night Abner and his men retreated through the Jordan Valley.  They crossed the Jordan River, traveling all through the morning, and didn’t stop until they arrived at Mahanaim.

Meanwhile, Joab and his men also returned home. When Joab counted his casualties, he discovered that only 19 men were missing in addition to Asahel.  But 360 of Abner’s men had been killed, all from the tribe of Benjamin.  Joab and his men took Asahel’s body to Bethlehem and buried him there in his father’s tomb. Then they traveled all night and reached Hebron at daybreak."

The Cost of Discipleship!!

Find the verses in :

1.  2 Timothy 2:

2.  Philippians 3:

3.  1 Corinthians 4:

4.  Romans 12:

5.  Romans 8:

6.  Romans 10:

7.  Matthew 4:

8.  Ephesians 5:

9.  Matthew 16:

10.  John 8:

1.  "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

2.  "As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

3.  "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

4.  "Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

5.  "And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

6.  "Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work."

7.  "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own."

8.  "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God."

9.  "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them."

10.  "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

11.  "For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God."

Be in God's Will!!

Choose the correct Scripture:

1.  "I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

A.  Psalm 88:

B.  Psalm 110:

C.  Psalm 90:

D.  Psalm 40:

E.  Psalm 112:

2.  "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

A.  Titus 2:

B.  Ephesians 6:

C.  Romans 10:

D.  James 5:

E.  Colossians 3:

3.  "Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

A.  Acts 10:

B.  Hebrews 7:

C.  Matthew 20:

D.  Romans 15:

E.  Ephesians 5:

4.  “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ."

A.  1 Timothy 5:

B.  James 3:

C.  Romans 11:

D.  Mark 8:

E.  1 Corinthians 2:

5.  "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."

A.  Hebrews 12:

B.  Matthew 20:

C.  Luke 22:

D.  John 15:

E.  Romans 8:

6.  "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

A.  Mark 13:

B.  Romans 15:

B.  Hebrews 12:

D.  Luke 17:

E.  John 14:

7.  "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

A.  Ephesians 5:

B.  Mark 13:

C.  Acts 20:

D.  Matthew 10:

E.  John 6:

8.  "And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

A.  Acts 27:

B.  Luke 22:

C.  John 10:

D.  Mark 15:

E.  Matthew 26:

9.  "Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

A.  Hebrews 13:

B.  Romans 10:

C.  James 5:

D.  1 Corinthians 15:

E.  Matthew 9:

10.  "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

A.  Amos 5:

B.  Hosea 10:

C.  Zechariah 13:

D.  Exodus 22:

E.  Zephaniah 3:

11.  "So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

A.  Ezekiel 47:

B.  Numbers 30:

C.  Exodus 40:

D.  Isaiah 55:

E.  Jeremiah 50:

The Word Of God is food for the soul!!

Match A with the correct answer in B:

A.

1.  Joshua 1:

2.  Proverbs 30:

3.  Proverbs 4:

4.  Proverbs 2:

5.  John 10:

6.  Mark 15:

7.  Galatians 2:

8.  Hebrews 12:

9.  Exodus 20:

10.  James 1:

11.  1 Peter 5:

12.  Psalm 111:

13.  Romans 12:

14.  Ephesians 1:

15.  Acts 20:

16.  Proverbs 15:

17.  Psalm 130:

18.  John 1:

19.  1 Peter 1:

20.  Psalm 119:

21.  Joshua 10:

22.  Matthew 25:

23.  Jeremiah 23:

24.  John 15:

B.  

1.  "For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.  As the Scriptures say,“People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades.  But the word of the Lord remains forever.”

2.  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

3.  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

4.  "Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word.  Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions."

5.  "Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?"

6.  "Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do."

7.  "Every word of God proves true.  He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.  Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar."

8.  "Get wisdom; develop good judgment.  Don’t forget my words or turn away from them."

9.  "My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands.  Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.  Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.  Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.  Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.  For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

10.  "If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken."

11.  "I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him.  I have put my hope in his word."

Jesus Christ our Hope!!

Choose the correct Scripture:

1.  "What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man."

A.  Acts 10:

B.  James 5:

C.  Mark 12:

D.  Romans 13:

E.  Luke 6:

2.  "We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters."

A.  Galatians 6:

B.  Colossians 1:

C.  Romans 10:

D.  1 John 3:

E.  1 Peter 5:

3.  "Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."

A.  Hebrews 10:

B.  1 John 5:

C.  Luke 17:

D.  Romans 15:

E.  2 Corinthians 12:

4.  "But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval."

A.  Mark 10:

B.  James 5:

C.  Acts 17:

D.  1 Corinthians 12:

E.  John 6:

5.  "So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man."

A.  Matthew 20:

B.  Acts 25:

C.  Mark 13:

D.  Luke 21:

E.  1 Corinthians 15:

6.  "But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ."

A.  James 5:

B.  1 John 1:

C.  Hebrews 7:

D.  Ephesians 2:

E.  Colossians 3:

7.  "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit."

A.  2 John 1:

B.  Titus 3:

C.  Revelation 10:

D.  1 Peter 5:

E.  Philippians 4:

8.  "Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory."

A.  Mark 10:

B.  Acts 17:

C.  Matthew 23:

D.  Luke 20:

E.  Romans 15:

9.  "And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life."

A.  Ephesians 6:

B.  Romans 12:

C.  2 Corinthians 13:

D.  John 10:

E.  1 John 5:

10.  "For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation."

A.  Romans 10:

B.  Mark 8:

C.  Hebrews 12:

D.  2 Corinthians 5:

E.  Matthew 13:

11.  "When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love."

A.  Luke 22:

B.  Matthew 20:

C.  Mark 10:

D.  John 15:

E.  Acts 27:

Bible Notes!!

Choose the correct Scripture:

1.  "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

A.  Numbers 10:

B.  Joshua 5:

C.  1 Kings 12:

D.  Proverbs 1:

E.  Job 7:

2.  "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you."

A.  Leviticus 25:

B.  Numbers 30:

C.  Judges 18:

D.  Isaiah 28:

E.  Exodus 20: 

3.  "God called the vault "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning – the second day."

A.  Joshua 5:

B.  Exodus 10:

C.  Deuteronomy 7:

D.  Nehemiah 12:

E.  Genesis 1:

4.  "And you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

A.  1 John 3:

B.  1 Timothy 5:

C.  James 2:

D.  Mark 7:

E.  2 Peter 1:

5.  "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

A.  Mark 15:

B.  Matthew 13:

C.  Romans 11:

D.  Acts 20:

E.  1 Corinthians 10:

6.  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."

A.  Titus 2:

B.  2 Thessalonians 1:

C.  Philippians 4:

D.  James 5:

E.  Colossians 3:

7.  "He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

A.  Matthew 20:

B.  John 10:

C.  Romans 15:

D.  Luke 22:

E.  Acts 16: 

8.  "No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man."

A.  Galatians 2:

B.  1 Thessalonians 5:

C.  1 Timothy 1:

D.  James 5:

E.  John 3:

9.  "Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.  This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

A.  Exodus 10:

B.  Genesis 5:

C.  Numbers 13:

D.  Joshua 1:

E.  Deuteronomy 8:

10.  "Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children."

A.  Hebrews 10:

B.  2 Corinthians 13:

C.  Luke 17:

D.  Romans 12:

E.  Ephesians 5:

11.  "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."

A.  Mark 10:

B.  Hebrews 13:

C.  Acts 21:

D.  John 15:

E.  Romans 12:

Psalms!!

Match A with the correct answer in B:

A.

1.  Psalm 119:

2.  Psalm 93:

3.  Psalm 26:

4.  Psalm 71:

5.  Psalm 33:

6.  Psalm 111:

7.  Psalm 82:

8.  Psalm 10:

9.  Psalm 77:

10.  Psalm 125:

11.  Psalm 30:

12.  Psalm 99:

13.  Psalm 145:

14.  Psalm 22:

15.  Psalm 118:

16.  Psalm 137:

17.  Psalm 55:

18.  Psalm 139:

19.  Psalm 84:

20.  Psalm 104:

21.  Psalm 96:

22.  Psalm 73:

23.  Psalm 116:

24.  Psalm 106:

B. 

1.  "For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.  He gives us grace and glory.  The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.  O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you."

2.  "Let all that I am praise the Lord.  O Lord my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and majesty.  You are dressed in a robe of light.  You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens; you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds.  You make the clouds your chariot; you ride upon the wings of the wind.  The winds are your messengers; flames of fire are your servants."

3.  "Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever."

4.  "Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts.  Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.  Let all the earth tremble before him."

5.  "I shall lift up the cup of salvation And call upon the name of the Lord."

6.  "Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.  Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found."

7.  "Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting."

8.  "I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells."

9.  "For Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens, You who have done great things; O God, who is like You?"

10.  "Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us, According as we have hoped in You."

11.  "You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head."

Do not fear!! Psalm 91:

 

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies in the day.
Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand fall at your side,
    though ten thousand are dying around you,
    these evils will not touch you.
Just open your eyes,
    and see how the wicked are punished.
 
If you make the Lord your refuge,
    if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
    no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels
    to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras;
    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
 
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
    I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
    I will be with them in trouble.
    I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
    and give them my salvation."

SALVATION PRAYER:

 

Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I come to you and ask you to forgive me for my sins. I surrender my life to you. Come into my life and guide me. Show me your will and not my will. In Jesus Name Amen!!

Be born again to enter the Kingdom of God!!

 

1.  John 3:  "Jesus replied, I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of  God."

2.  John 3: "So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again.' "

3.  Matthew 7: "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate.  The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for many who choose that way.  But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a  few ever find it."

4.  Matthew 7: "Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter."

5.  Matthew 7: "On judgment day many will say to me, 'Lord! Lord!' We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you.  Get away from me, you who break God's laws."

6.  1 Peter 1: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

7.  Acts 2: "Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

8.  John 3: "Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

9.  John 1: "They are reborn - not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God."

10. 1 Peter 1: "for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God."

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Luke 1: Hebrews and English:

 Hebrews:

הפרק 1

אחרי אשר רבים הואילו לחבר ספור המעשים אשר נאמנו בשלמות בתוכנו׃

2 כאשר מסרום לנו הראים אתם בעיניהם מתחלה ואשר היו משרתי הדבר׃

3 חשבתי לטוב גם אני החפש כל הדברים היטב מראשיתם לכתבם אליך בסדר תאופילוס האדיר׃

4 למען תדע קשט האמרים אשר חנכת בם׃

5 כהן היה בימי הורדוס מלך יהודה זכריה שמו ממשמרת אביה ולו אשה מבנות אהרן ושמה אלישבע׃

6 ושניהם היו צדיקים לפני האלהים והלכי תם בכל מצות יהוה ובחקתיו׃

7 ולא היה להם ילד כי אלישבע עקרה ושניהם באו בימים׃

8 ויהי היום ויכהן לפני אלהים בסדר משמרתו׃

9 וכמשפט עבודת הכהנים יצא גורלו להקטיר קטרת ויבא אל היכל יהוה׃

10 וכל קהל העם היו מתפללים בחוץ בעת הקטרת׃

11 וירא אליו מלאך יהוה עמד לימין מזבח הקטרת׃

12 ויבהל זכריה בראותו אתו ואימה נפלה עליו׃

13 ויאמר אליו המלאך אל תירא זכריהו כי נשמעה תפלתך ואלישבע אשתך תלד לך בן וקראת שמו יוחנן׃

14 והיה לך לשמחה וגיל ורבים ישמחו בהולדו׃

15 כי גדול יהיה לפני יהוה ויין ושכר לא ישתה ורוח הקדש ימלא בעודנו בבטן אמו׃

16 ורבים מבני ישראל ישיב אל יהוה אלהיהם׃

17 והוא ילך לפניו ברוח אליהו ובגבורתו להשיב את לב אבות על בנים ואת הסוררים לתבונת הצדיקים להעמיד ליהוה עם מתקן׃

18 ויאמר זכריה אל המלאך במה אדע זאת כי אני זקנתי ואשתי באה בימים׃

19 ויען המלאך ויאמר אליו אני גבריאל העומד לפני האלהים ושלוח אנכי לדבר אליך ולבשרך את זאת׃

20 והנה תאלם ולא תוכל לדבר עד היום אשר תהיה זאת תחת כי לא האמנת בדברי אשר ימלאו למועדם׃

21 והעם היה מחכה לזכריה ויתמהו כי אחר בהיכל׃

22 ויהי בצאתו לא יכל לדבר אליהם וידעו כי מראה ראה בהיכל וירמז להם ועודנו נאלם׃

23 ויהי כאשר מלאו ימי עבדתו וילך לו אל ביתו׃

24 ויהי אחרי הימים האלה ותהר אלישבע אשתו ותתחבא חמשה חדשים ותאמר׃

25 ככה עשה לי יהוה בימי פקדו אותי לאסף את חרפתי בתוך בני אדם׃

26 ויהי בחדש הששי וישלח המלאך גבריאל מאת האלהים גלילה אל עיר אשר שמה נצרת׃

27 אל בתולה מארשה לאיש אשר שמו יוסף מבית דוד ושם הבתולה מרים׃

28 ויבא המלאך אליה החדרה ויאמר שלום לך אשת חן יהוה עמך ברוכה את בנשים׃

29 והיא בראותה נבהלה לדברו ותאמר בלבה מה היא הברכה הזאת׃

30 ויאמר לה המלאך אל תיראי מרים כי מצאת חן לפני האלהים׃

31 והנך הרה וילדת בן וקראת את שמו ישוע׃

32 והוא גדול יהיה ובן עליון יקרא ויהוה אלהים יתן לו את כסא דוד אביו׃

33 ועל בית יעקב ימלך לעולם ועד ולמלכותו אין קץ׃

34 ותאמר מרים אל המלאך איך תהיה זאת ואני אינני ידעת איש׃

35 ויען המלאך ויאמר אליה רוח הקדש תבוא עליך וגבורת עליון תצל עליך על כן גם לקדוש הילוד יקרא בן אלהים׃

36 והנה אלישבע קרובתך אשר קראו לה עקרה גם היא הרתה בן בזקנתה וזה לה החדש הששי׃

37 כי לא יפלא מאלהים כל דבר׃

38 ותאמר מרים הנני שפחת יהוה יהי לי כדברך ויצא מאתה המלאך׃

39 ותקם מרים בימים ההם ותמהר ללכת ההרה אל עיר יהודה׃

40 ותבא בית זכריה ותברך את אלישבע׃

41 ויהי כשמע אלישבע את ברכת מרים וירקד הילד במעיה ותמלא אלישבע רוח הקדש׃

42 ותקרא בקול גדול ותאמר ברוכה את בנשים וברוך פרי בטנך׃

43 ומאין לי זאת אשר אם אדני באה אלי׃

44 כי קול ברכתך בא באזני והנה רקד בשמחה הילד במעי׃

45 ואשרי המאמינה כי המלא תמלא אשר דבר לה מאת יהוה׃

46 ותאמר מרים רוממה נפשי את יהוה׃

47 ותגל רוחי באלהי ישעי׃

48 ]94-84[ אשר ראה בעני אמתו כי הנה מעתה כל הדרות יאשרוני כי גדלות עשה לי שדי וקדוש שמו׃

49 ]94-84[׃

50 וחסדו לדור דורים על יראיו׃

51 גבורות עשה בזרעו פזר גאים במזמות לבבם׃

52 הרס נדיבים מכסאותו וירם שפלים׃

53 רעבים מלא טוב ועשירים שלח ריקם׃

54 תמך בישראל עבדו לזכר את רחמיו׃

55 כאשר דבר אל אבותינו לאברהם ולזרעו עד עולם׃

56 ותשב מרים עמה כשלשה חדשים ותשב לביתה׃

57 וימלאו ימי אלישבע ללדת ותלד בן׃

58 וישמעו שכניה וקרוביה כי הגדיל יהוה את חסדו עמה וישמחו אתה׃

59 ויהי ביום השמיני ויבאו למול את הילד ויקראו אתו זכריה על שם אביו׃

60 ותען אמו ותאמר לא כי יוחנן יקרא׃

61 ויאמרו אליה אין איש במשפחתך אשר נקרא בשם הזה׃

62 וירמזו אל אביו לדעת מה השם אשר יחפץ להקרא לו׃

63 וישאל לוח ויכתב עליו לאמר יוחנן שמו ויתמהו כלם׃

64 ויפתח פיו ולשונו פתאם וידבר ויברך את האלהים׃

65 ותפל אימה על כל שכניהם ויספר כל הדברים האלה בכל הרי יהודה׃

66 וישימו כל השמעים אל לבם לאמר מה אפוא יהיה הילד הזה ויד יהוה היתה עמו׃

67 וימלא זכריה אביו רוח הקדש וינבא לאמר׃

68 ברוך יהוה אלהי ישראל כי פקד את עמו וישלח לו פדות׃

69 וירם לנו קרן ישועה בבית דוד עבדו׃

70 כאשר דבר בפי נביאיו הקדושים אשר מעולם׃

71 ישועה מאיבינו ומיד כל שנאינו׃

72 לעשות חסד עם אבותינו ולזכר את ברית קדשו׃

73 את השבועה אשר נשבע לאברהם אבינו׃

74 להצילנו מיד איבינו ולתתנו לעבדו בלי פחד׃

75 בתמים ובצדקה לפניו כל ימי חיינו׃

76 ואתה הילד נביא עליון תקרא כי לפני יהוה תלך לפנות את דרכיו׃

77 לתת דעת הישועה לעמו בסליחת חטאתיהם׃

78 ברחמי חסד אלהינו אשר בהם פקדנו הנגה ממרום׃

79 להאיר לישבי חשך וצלמות ולהכין את רגלינו אל דרך השלום׃

80 ויגדל הילד ויחזק ברוח ויהי במדברות עד יום הראתו אל ישראל׃

English:

"Introduction

Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us.  They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron.  Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.  They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.  As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.  While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.

While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar.  Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.  But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.  You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,  for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.  And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God.  He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!  But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long.  When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.

When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home.  Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months.  “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.  Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.  “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.  And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month.  For the word of God will never fail.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.  At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.  Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?  When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.  You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise

Mary responded,

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.

     How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,

    and from now on all generations will call me blessed.

 For the Mighty One is holy,

    and he has done great things for me.

 He shows mercy from generation to generation

    to all who fear him.

 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!

    He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.

 He has brought down princes from their thrones

    and exalted the humble.

 He has filled the hungry with good things

    and sent the rich away with empty hands.

 He has helped his servant Israel

    and remembered to be merciful.

 For he made this promise to our ancestors,

    to Abraham and his children forever.”

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son.  And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.

When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father.  But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”

“What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.”  So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him.  He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.”  Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.

Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills.  Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.

Zechariah’s Prophecy

Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,

    because he has visited and redeemed his people.

 He has sent us a mighty Savior

    from the royal line of his servant David,

just as he promised

    through his holy prophets long ago.

 Now we will be saved from our enemies

    and from all who hate us.

 He has been merciful to our ancestors

    by remembering his sacred covenant—

 the covenant he swore with an oath

    to our ancestor Abraham.

 We have been rescued from our enemies

    so we can serve God without fear,

 in holiness and righteousness

    for as long as we live.

 “And you, my little son,

    will be called the prophet of the Most High,

    because you will prepare the way for the Lord.

You will tell his people how to find salvation

    through forgiveness of their sins.

Because of God’s tender mercy,

    the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,

 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

    and to guide us to the path of peace.”

John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel."

Matthew 2: Hebrews and English:

Hebrews:

הפרק 2

ויהי כאשר נולד ישוע בבית לחם יהודה בימי הורדוס המלך ויבאו מגושים מארץ מזרח ירושלימה לאמר׃

2 איה מלך היהודים הנולד כי ראינו את כוכבו במזרח ונבא להשתחות לו׃

3 ויהי כשמע הורדוס המלך את דבריהם ויבהל הוא וכל ירושלים עמו׃

4 ויקהל את כל ראשי הכהנים וסופרי העם וידרש מאתם לאמר איפה יולד המשיח׃

5 ויאמרו לו בבית לחם יהודה כי כן כתוב ביד הנביא׃

6 ואתה בית לחם ארץ יהודה אינך צעיר באלפי יהודה כי ממך יצא מושל אשר ירעה את עמי ישראל׃

7 אז קרא הורדוס למגושים בסתר ויחקר אתם לדעת עת הראות הכוכב׃

8 וישלחם בית לחם ויאמר לכו חקרו היטב על דבר הילד והיה כי תמצאון אתו והגדתם לי ואבאה להשתחות לו גם אני׃

9 ויהי כשמעם את דברי המלך וילכו והנה הכוכב אשר ראו במזרח דרך לפניהם עד באו אל מקום אשר שם הילד ויעמד ממעל לו׃

10 ויראו את הכוכב וישמחו שמחה גדולה עד מאד׃

11 ויבאו הביתה וימצאו את הילד עם מרים אמו ויפל על פניהם וישתחוו לו ויפתחו את אוצרותם ויקריבו לו מנחה זהב ולבונה ומר׃

12 ויצוו בחלום לבלתי שוב אל הורדוס וילכו בדרך אחר אל ארצם׃

13 הם הלכו משם והנה מלאך יהוה נראה אל יוסף בחלום לאמר קום קח את הילד ואת אמו וברח לך מצרימה והיה שם עד אשר אמר אליך כי הורדוס צדה את הילד לאבדו׃

14 ויקם ויקח את הילד ואת אמו בלילה ויברח מצרימה׃

15 ויהי שם עד מות הורדוס למלאת את אשר דבר יהוה ביד הנביא לאמר ממצרים קראתי לבני׃

16 וירא הורדוס כי התלו בו המגושים ויקצף מאד וישלח וימת את כל הילדים אשר בבית לחם ובכל גבוליה מבן שנתים ולמטה כפי העת אשר חקרה מפי המגושים׃

17 וימלא הדבר הנאמר בפי ירמיה הנביא לאמר׃

18 קול ברמה נשמע נהי ובכי תמרורים רחל מבכה על בניה מאנה להנחם כי אינם׃

19 ויהי אחרי מות הורדוס והנה מלאך יהוה נראה בחלום אל יוסף בארץ מצרים׃

20 ויאמר אליו קום קח את הילד ואת אמו ולך שוב אל ארץ ישראל כי מתו המבקשים את נפש הילד׃

21 ויקם ויקח את הילד ואת אמו ויבא ארצה ישראל׃

22 וכשמעו כי ארקלוס מלך ביהודה תחת הורדוס אביו ירא ללכת שמה ויצוה בחלום וילך לו אל ארצות הגליל׃

23 ויבא וישב בעיר אשר שמה נצרת למלאת הדבר הנאמר על פי הנביאים כי נצרי יקרא לו׃

English:

"Visitors from the East

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,  “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.  He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,

    are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,

for a ruler will come from you

    who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.  Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

The Escape to Egypt

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother,  and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”

Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.  Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

“A cry was heard in Ramah—

    weeping and great mourning.

Rachel weeps for her children,

    refusing to be comforted,

    for they are dead.”

The Return to Nazareth

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.  “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”

So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother.  But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee.  So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”