Bible – Bible Society of Zimbabwe

Get ready to mark your calendars with colorful crayons because April 2nd isn’t just any ordinary day – it’s International Children’s Book Day! This day is all about diving into the charming world of children’s literature. It’s like a giant hug for books and a high-five for reading, inspiring kids everywhere to embark on grand adventures through the pages of their favorite stories. This special day aims to promote children’s books and reading, as well as to inspire a love of literature among children worldwide. So grab your favorite cozy spot, your trusty bookmark, and let’s journey together through the wonderful land of books!

As you celebrate International Children’s Book Day, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the profound impact of Bible stories in the lives of your little ones. The Bible itself is a rich source of storytelling, filled with narratives that have captivated hearts and minds for generations. The stories within the Bible speak to the core of human experience and offer guidance for living a life of faith and virtue.

Bible Story books hold significant importance as books for children for several reasons:

Guidance on what is right and wrong: The Bible contains timeless stories that teach important moral and ethical lessons, such as kindness, compassion, honesty, and forgiveness. These stories provide children with a foundation for understanding right from wrong and help shape their character and values. An example is the story of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10 v 25-37).
Spiritual and Religious Education: The Bible serves as a fundamental tool for teaching children about faith, spirituality, and the principles of Christianity. It helps children develop a sense of connection God and understand their place within their respective communities. An example is the story of Daniel in the lions’ den (Daniel 6).
Value in literature: Many stories in the Bible are beautifully crafted narratives with rich imagery, symbolism, and poetic language. Introducing children to these stories can foster an appreciation for literature and storytelling, enhancing their language skills and imagination. An example is the Creation story (Genesis 1 -2).
Source of Comfort and Guidance: The Bible offers comfort and reassurance to children during difficult times. Its stories of hope, perseverance, and divine love can provide comfort and guidance when children face challenges or uncertainties in their lives. The story of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5 v 21-43).
Family and Community Bonding: Reading and discussing Bible stories together as a family or within a religious community can strengthen familial bonds and create a sense of belonging and shared identity. It provides opportunities for meaningful conversations and connections between generations. Story of Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 37-50).
Critical Thinking and Reflection: Encouraging children to engage critically with the stories and teachings of the Bible fosters their ability to think analytically, ask questions, and reflect on their own beliefs and values. This critical thinking skill is essential for their intellectual and spiritual development. The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)

It is very important that you take part in this celebration (Established by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY)) by making Bible story books a priority in your children’s reading materials, educational settings, and households. You must focus not only on developing their intellect but also on shaping their character, preparing them to face life’s trials with integrity and determination. Let’s unite in embracing the wisdom found in these stories, planting the seeds for a future marked by compassion and enlightenment for all.

How does the Bible view women? At face value, some of its messages and examples can seem oppressive or devaluing. But when you learn more about how Jesus responded to the Bible’s historical and cultural context, you may rethink your first impressions. Christ entered into a specific time and culture that had assumptions very different from ours. How can understanding the biblical context inform our reading? How can the context help us to better understand who Jesus is—what he values, loves, and expects of his followers? Take a look, traveling all the way back to the culture Jesus entered.

How the Greeks Viewed Women

Let’s begin with the philosophers. Writers and thinkers often infuse a culture with certain beliefs—and this was especially so in the Greco-Roman world. When examined closely, some of their ideas may seem surprisingly antiquated to the modern reader.

For example, the revered philosopher Plato believed that women should be confined to the home while men tended to the business of state and commerce. Aristotle went even further, teaching that women were inferior to men, incapable of abstract thought, and emotionally volatile. Thus husbands and fathers were to rule over their wives and daughters. This thinking reflects the basic attitude toward women during the classical period.

How did these attitudes affect a woman’s life? The picture is not a pretty one. A young Greek girl is routinely married off to an older man. Her husband is free to take a concubine, and romantic love is not expected within marriage. Her role is to bear and raise children and run the household. She will rarely leave the house. Her education is limited to learning domestic tasks. She is not permitted to vote or hold property. Why would she be? As Euripides the playwright notes, “A woman is handicapped by intellect.” Thucydides helps him along by writing, “The name of a decent woman, like her person, should be shut up in the house.”

How the Jews Viewed Women

By Jesus’s time Greek ideas—including these ideas about women—had gradually crept into Jewish culture, despite Old Testament writings to the contrary. In the creation account in Genesis, God creates human beings as both male and female, giving them co-equal stewardship over the earth (Genesis 1:26-30). Throughout the Old Testament, women are given equal access to God’s law and held equally responsible to keep it.

The Old Testament record is replete with women whose great courage often surpasses that of the men around them. The stories of Miriam, Rahab, Ruth, Deborah, Hannah, Abigail, and Esther are prime examples of women whose insight and fortitude greatly influence the biblical narrative and the way God’s people understood themselves.

The Jewish understanding of women was so affected by exile, conquest, and trade that by Jesus’s time women were discouraged from studying Torah, God’s law, and encouraged to stay home to fulfill household duties. They attended synagogue assemblies seated separately from the men. The Greek-educated Jewish philosopher Philo, a contemporary of Jesus, saw women as having weak judgment and considered them unfit to learn the law. Some rabbis even went so far as to encourage men to limit their conversations with their own wives. What was the point of talking to someone with little knowledge of the law?

How Jesus Viewed Women

Into this distortion of God’s original intent for women comes a new teacher, the rabbi called Jesus of Nazareth. What do we know about Jesus’s relationships with women? Did he hold the same opinions as his culture? Let’s take a look at a few of his encounters with women.

Jesus speaks to a Samaritan woman in public (John 4:4-30)

Jesus shocks the woman at the well by asking her for a drink. Thus he steamrolls over cultural taboos against men speaking to women as well as Jewish prejudice against Samaritans. “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?”

Jesus then reveals himself to her as the Messiah and the giver of the living water for which she longs.

Jesus teaches a woman one-on-one (Luke 10:38-42)

Women were not expected to study Torah, yet this renegade rabbi singles out one woman and opens Scripture to her. Mary “sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching.” This position was that of the traditional rabbinic student.

When her sister complains about needing help, Jesus tells her that “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus comforts a widow and confronts death (Luke 7:11-17)

“Don’t cry,” Jesus says to a grieving widow whose son lies dead in his coffin. He touches the coffin, defying ceremonial law. Jaws drop in amazement as the young man sits up and begins to speak. Jesus gives the widow’s son back to her, alive and well.

Jesus touches an “unclean” woman (Luke 8:43-48)

Ceremonially unclean due to a chronic hemorrhage, a woman touches the hem of Jesus’ cloak. “Daughter,” Jesus speaks tenderly. “Your faith has healed you. Shalom.”

Jesus touches an infirm woman (Luke 13:10-16)

The religious leaders object to Jesus’s laying his healing hands on a crippled woman on the Sabbath.

“You hypocrites!” Jesus does not mince words. “Any one of you would untie your ox or your donkey from the stall and take it out to give it water on the Sabbath.Now here is this descendant of Abraham whom Satan has kept in bonds for eighteen years; should she not be released on the Sabbath?”

Jesus deals with a woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11)

The woman’s accusers are silenced by Jesus’s words, “Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her.” But he is gentle in his conversation with her.

Jesus allows Mary to anoint him (John 12:1-8)

When people are horrified at Mary’s extravagant outpouring of love, Jesus silences them all. Rather than rebuking her for touching him in this intimate way, he lavishes high praise on her. “Leave her alone; she’s anointing me for burial. This story will be told wherever the Gospel is preached.”

Jesus appears first to a woman after his Resurrection (John 20:11-18)

Although women were considered to be unreliable witnesses in court, Jesus assigns Mary Magdalene the task of being the first witness to the Resurrection.

Scripture’s Good News for Women

So what did Jesus really think of women? Did he touch them? Did he talk with them? Did he teach them? Did he give equal moral standing with men? Did he value them?

The record speaks for itself. First-century women in Palestine were second-class citizens. Sadly, some church leaders have still viewed and treated women in this way. But Jesus turned the tables on his culture, and his example calls us to do the same. Again and again, Jesus affirmed women’s value and dignity.

As the apostle Paul affirms in Galatians 3:26-28 (NIV): “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Hurt can leave a deep wound, leaving you with anger, resentment, and a desire for justice. While these emotions are understandable, clinging to them only poisons your soul and hinders your healing. Forgiveness offers a path forward, a way to release yourself from the burden of bitterness and embrace peace.

But how do you forgive someone who has deeply hurt you? The Bible offers wisdom and guidance on this difficult journey. Here are 5 verses to help you navigate the path of forgiveness:

Matthew 6:14-15:

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

This verse highlights the link between your forgiveness of others and God’s forgiveness of you. Holding onto resentment hinders God’s grace in your life. Choosing to forgive, however difficult, opens you up to the blessings of God’s own forgiveness.

2. Ephesians 4:31-32:

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

This verse calls you to actively remove negativity and negativity from your heart. It encourages kindness, compassion, and a willingness to forgive just as God has forgiven you. This deliberate act of replacing bitterness with kindness sets you on the path to healing.

3. Colossians 3:13:

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

This verse emphasizes patience and understanding. It reminds you that everyone makes mistakes and that forgiveness is a choice you make, not something you feel obligated to do. Remember God’s forgiveness towards you, and let it inspire you to extend the same grace to others.

4. Luke 6:37:

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

This verse focuses on the reciprocal nature of forgiveness. By releasing others from their mistakes, you free yourself from the burden of judgment and open yourself to receiving forgiveness for your own shortcomings. Remember, forgiveness is not about condoning the hurt, but about choosing to let go and move forward.

5. 1 John 1:9:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

This verse reminds you that forgiveness starts with acknowledging your own need for it. By confessing your own shortcomings and seeking God’s forgiveness, you open your heart to the power of forgiveness in your own life. This self-reflection allows you to practice the forgiveness you extend to others.

In conclusion, remember, forgiveness is a journey, not a destination. It takes time, patience, and a commitment to letting go. But the rewards are immeasurable. By following the guidance of these Bible verses, you can find the strength to forgive, release yourself from the grip of hurt, and experience the abundant peace and joy that comes with it.

Introduction

1 Dear Theophilus:

Many people have done their best to write a report of the things that have taken place among us. 2 They wrote what we have been told by those who saw these things from the beginning and who proclaimed the message. 3 And so, Your Excellency, because I have carefully studied all these matters from their beginning, I thought it would be good to write an orderly account for you. 4 I do this so that you will know the full truth about everything which you have been taught.

The Birth of John the Baptist Is Announced

5 During the time when Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife's name was Elizabeth; she also belonged to a priestly family. 6 They both lived good lives in God's sight and obeyed fully all the Lord's laws and commands. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth could not have any, and she and Zechariah were both very old.

8 One day Zechariah was doing his work as a priest in the Temple, taking his turn in the daily service. 9 According to the custom followed by the priests, he was chosen by lot to burn incense on the altar. So he went into the Temple of the Lord, 10 while the crowd of people outside prayed during the hour when the incense was burned. 11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar where the incense was burned. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was alarmed and felt afraid. 13 But the angel said to him, “Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son. You are to name him John. 14 How glad and happy you will be, and how happy many others will be when he is born! 15 John will be great in the Lord's sight. He must not drink any wine or strong drink. From his very birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, 16 and he will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will go ahead of the Lord, strong and mighty like the prophet Elijah. He will bring fathers and children together again; he will turn disobedient people back to the way of thinking of the righteous; he will get the Lord's people ready for him.”

18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know if this is so? I am an old man, and my wife is old also.”

19 “I am Gabriel,” the angel answered. “I stand in the presence of God, who sent me to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20 But you have not believed my message, which will come true at the right time. Because you have not believed, you will be unable to speak; you will remain silent until the day my promise to you comes true.”

21 In the meantime the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he was spending such a long time in the Temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them, and so they knew that he had seen a vision in the Temple. Unable to say a word, he made signs to them with his hands.

23 When his period of service in the Temple was over, Zechariah went back home. 24 Some time later his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and did not leave the house for five months. 25 “Now at last the Lord has helped me,” she said. “He has taken away my public disgrace!”

The Birth of Jesus Is Announced

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee named Nazareth. 27 He had a message for a young woman promised in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was a descendant of King David. Her name was Mary. 28 The angel came to her and said, “Peace be with you! The Lord is with you and has greatly blessed you!”

29 Mary was deeply troubled by the angel's message, and she wondered what his words meant. 30 The angel said to her, “Don't be afraid, Mary; God has been gracious to you. 31 You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was, 33 and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end!”

34 Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin. How, then, can this be?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and God's power will rest upon you. For this reason the holy child will be called the Son of God. 36 Remember your relative Elizabeth. It is said that she cannot have children, but she herself is now six months pregnant, even though she is very old. 37 For there is nothing that God cannot do.”

38 “I am the Lord's servant,” said Mary; “may it happen to me as you have said.” And the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 Soon afterward Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the hill country of Judea. 40 She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 Why should this great thing happen to me, that my Lord's mother comes to visit me? 44 For as soon as I heard your greeting, the baby within me jumped with gladness. 45 How happy you are to believe that the Lord's message to you will come true!”

Mary's Song of Praise

46 Mary said,

“My heart praises the Lord;

47 my soul is glad because of God my Savior,

48 for he has remembered me, his lowly servant!

From now on all people will call me happy,

49 because of the great things the Mighty God has done for me.

His name is holy;

50 from one generation to another

he shows mercy to those who honor him.

51 He has stretched out his mighty arm

and scattered the proud with all their plans.

52 He has brought down mighty kings from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away with empty hands.

54 He has kept the promise he made to our ancestors,

and has come to the help of his servant Israel.

55 He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham

and to all his descendants forever!”

56 Mary stayed about three months with Elizabeth and then went back home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 The time came for Elizabeth to have her baby, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard how wonderfully good the Lord had been to her, and they all rejoiced with her.

59 When the baby was a week old, they came to circumcise him, and they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But his mother said, “No! His name is to be John.”

61 They said to her, “But you don't have any relative with that name!” 62 Then they made signs to his father, asking him what name he would like the boy to have.

63 Zechariah asked for a writing pad and wrote, “His name is John.” How surprised they all were! 64 At that moment Zechariah was able to speak again, and he started praising God. 65 The neighbors were all filled with fear, and the news about these things spread through all the hill country of Judea. 66 Everyone who heard of it thought about it and asked, “What is this child going to be?” For it was plain that the Lord's power was upon him.

Zechariah's Prophecy

67 John's father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he spoke God's message:

68 “Let us praise the Lord, the God of Israel!

He has come to the help of his people and has set them free.

69 He has provided for us a mighty Savior,

a descendant of his servant David.

70 He promised through his holy prophets long ago

71 that he would save us from our enemies,

from the power of all those who hate us.

72 He said he would show mercy to our ancestors

and remember his sacred covenant.

73-74 With a solemn oath to our ancestor Abraham

he promised to rescue us from our enemies

and allow us to serve him without fear,

75 so that we might be holy and righteous before him

all the days of our life.

76 “You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God.

You will go ahead of the Lord

to prepare his road for him,

77 to tell his people that they will be saved

by having their sins forgiven.

78 Our God is merciful and tender.

He will cause the bright dawn of salvation to rise on us

79 and to shine from heaven on all those who live in the dark shadow of death,

to guide our steps into the path of peace.”

80 The child grew and developed in body and spirit. He lived in the desert until the day when he appeared publicly to the people of Israel.

1 Forasmuch as many haue taken in hand to set foorth the storie of those things, whereof we are fully persuaded, 2 As they haue deliuered them vnto vs, which from the beginning saw them their selues, and were ministers of ye word, 3 It seemed good also to me (most noble Theophilus) assoone as I had searched out perfectly all things from the beginning, to write vnto thee thereof from point to point, 4 That thou mightest acknowledge the certaintie of those things, whereof thou hast bene instructed. 5 In the time of Herod King of Iudea, there was a certaine Priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabet. 6 Both were iust before God, and walked in all the commandements and ordinances of the Lord, without reproofe. 7 And they had no childe, because that Elisabet was barren: and both were well stricken in age. 8 And it came to passe, as he executed the Priestes office before God, as his course came in order, 9 According to the custome of the Priests office, his lot was to burne incense, when he went into the Temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were without in prayer, while the incense was burning. 11 Then appeared vnto him an Angel of the Lord standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias sawe him, he was troubled, and feare fell vpon him. 13 But the Angel saide vnto him, Feare not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard, and thy wise Elisabet shall beare thee a sonne, and thou shalt call his name Iohn. 14 And thou shalt haue ioy and gladnes, and many shall reioyce at his birth. 15 For he shalbe great in the sight of the Lord, and shall neither drinke wine, nor strong drinke: and he shalbe filled with the holy Ghost, euen from his mothers wombe. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turne to their Lord God. 17 For he shall goe before him in the spirite and power of Elias, to turne the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisedome of the iust men, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 18 Then Zacharias said vnto ye Angel, Whereby shall I knowe this? for I am an olde man, and my wife is of a great age. 19 And the Angell answered, and sayde vnto him, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God, and am sent to speake vnto thee, and to shew thee these good tidings. 20 And beholde, thou shalt be domme, and not be able to speake, vntill the day that these things be done, because thou beleeuedst not my words, which shalbe fulfilled in their season. 21 Now the people waited for Zacharias, and marueiled that he taried so long in the Temple. 22 And when hee came out, hee coulde not speake vnto them: then they perceiued that hee had seene a vision in the Temple: For he made signes vnto them, and remained domme. 23 And it came to passe, when the daies of his office were fulfilled, that he departed to his owne house. 24 And after those daies, his wife Elisabet conceiued, and hid her selfe fiue moneths, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me, in the daies wherein he looked on me, to take from me my rebuke among men. 26 And in the sixth moneth, the Angell Gabriel was sent from God vnto a citie of Galile, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin affianced to a man whose name was Ioseph, of the house of Dauid, and the virgins name was Marie. 28 And the Angel went in vnto her, and said, Haile thou that art freely beloued: the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and thought what maner of salutation that should be. 30 Then the Angel saide vnto her, Feare not, Marie: for thou hast found fauour with God. 31 For loe, thou shalt conceiue in thy wobe, and beare a sonne, and shalt call his name Iesus. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Sonne of the most High, and the Lord God shall giue vnto him the throne of his father Dauid. 33 And hee shall reigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer, and of his kingdome shall bee none ende. 34 Then sayde Marie vnto the Angel, How shall this be, seeing I knowe not man? 35 And the Angel answered, and said vnto her, The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee, and the power of the most High shall ouershadowe thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall bee borne of thee, shall be called the Sonne of God. 36 And behold, thy cousin Elisabet, she hath also conceiued a sonne in her olde age: and this is her sixt moneth, which was called barren. 37 For with God shall nothing be vnpossible. 38 Then Marie said, Behold the seruant of the Lord: be it vnto me according to thy woorde. So the Angel departed from her. 39 And Marie arose in those daies, and went into ye hil countrey with hast to a citie of Iuda, 40 And entred into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabet. 41 And it came to passe, as Elisabet heard the salutation of Marie, the babe sprang in her bellie, and Elisabet was filled with the holy Ghost. 42 And she cried with a loud voice, and saide, Blessed art thou among women, because the fruit of thy wombe is blessed. 43 And whence commeth this to mee, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For loe, assoone as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine eares, the babe sprang in my bellie for ioye, 45 And blessed is shee that beleeued: for those things shall be perfourmed, which were tolde her from the Lord. 46 Then Marie sayde, My soule magnifieth the Lord, 47 And my spirite reioyceth in God my Sauiour. 48 For hee hath looked on the poore degree of his seruaunt: for beholde, from henceforth shall all ages call me blessed, 49 Because hee that is mightie, hath done for me great things, and holy is his Name. 50 And his mercie is from generation to generation on them that feare him. 51 Hee hath shewed strength with his arme: hee hath scattered the proude in the imagination of their hearts. 52 Hee hath put downe the mighty from their seates, and exalted them of lowe degree. 53 Hee hath filled the hungrie with good things, and sent away the rich emptie. 54 Hee hath vpholden Israel his seruaunt to be mindefull of his mercie 55 (As hee hath spoken to our fathers, to wit, to Abraham, and his seede) for euer. 56 And Marie abode with her about three moneths: after, shee returned to her owne house. 57 Nowe Elisabets time was fulfilled, that shee should be deliuered, and shee brought foorth a sonne. 58 And her neighbours, and cousins heard tell howe the Lord had shewed his great mercie vpon her, and they reioyced with her. 59 And it was so that on the eight day they came to circumcise the babe, and called him Zacharias after the name of his father. 60 But his mother answered, and saide, Not so, but he shalbe called Iohn. 61 And they saide vnto her, There is none of thy kindred, that is named with this name. 62 Then they made signes to his father, howe he would haue him called. 63 So hee asked for writing tables, and wrote, saying, His name is Iohn, and they marueiled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue, and he spake and praised God. 65 Then feare came on all them that dwelt neere vnto them, and all these woordes were noised abroade throughout all the hill countrey of Iudea. 66 And al they that heard them, laid them vp in their hearts, saying, What maner childe shall this be! and the hand of the Lord was with him. 67 Then his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised vp the horne of saluation vnto vs, in the house of his seruant Dauid, 70 As he spake by ye mouth of his holy Prophets, which were since the world began, saying, 71 That he would sende vs deliuerance from our enemies, and from the hands of all that hate vs, 72 That he might shewe mercie towards our fathers, and remember his holy couenant, 73 And the othe which he sware to our father Abraham. 74 Which was, that he would graunt vnto vs, that we being deliuered out of the handes of our enemies, should serue him without feare, 75 All the daies of our life, in holinesse and righteousnesse before him. 76 And thou, babe, shalt be called the Prophet of the most High: for thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord, to prepare his waies, 77 And to giue knowledge of saluation vnto his people, by the remission of their sinnes, 78 Through ye tender mercy of our God, wherby the day spring from an hie hath visited vs, 79 To giue light to them that sit in darknes, and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feete into the way of peace. 80 And the childe grewe, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the wildernesse, til the day came that he should shewe him selfe vnto Israel.