Lucas 1

EL LIBRO DEL PUEBLO DE DIOS	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Muchos han tratado de relatar ordenadamente los acontecimientos que se cumplieron entre nosotros,	1 Since, indeed, many have attempted to set in order a narrative of the things that have been completed among us,
2 tal como nos fueron transmitidos por aquellos que han sido desde el comienzo testigos oculares y servidores de la Palabra.	2 just as they have been handed on to those of us who from the beginning saw the same and were ministers of the word,
3 Por eso, después de informarme cuidadosamente de todo desde los orígenes, yo también he decidido escribir para ti, excelentísimo Teófilo, un relato ordenado,	3 so it seemed good to me also, having diligently followed everything from the beginning, to write to you, in an orderly manner, most excellent Theophilus,
4 a fin de que conozcas bien la solidez de las enseñanzas que has recibido.	4 so that you might know the truthfulness of those words by which you have been instructed.
5 En tiempos de Herodes, rey de Judea, había un sacerdote llamado Zacarías, de la clase sacerdotal de Abías. Su mujer, llamada Isabel, era descendiente de Aarón.	5 There was, in the days of Herod, king of Judea, a certain priest named Zechariah, of the section of Abijah, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 Ambos eran justos a los ojos de Dios y seguían en forma irreprochable todos los mandamientos y preceptos del Señor.	6 Now they were both just before God, progressing in all of the commandments and the justifications of the Lord without blame.
7 Pero no tenían hijos, porque Isabel era estéril; y los dos eran de edad avanzada.	7 And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both had become advanced in years.
8 Un día en que su clase estaba de turno y Zacarías ejercía la función sacerdotal delante de Dios,	8 Then it happened that, when he was exercising the priesthood before God, in the order of his section,
9 le tocó en suerte, según la costumbre litúrgica, entrar en el Santuario del Señor para quemar el incienso.	9 according to the custom of the priesthood, the lot fell so that he would offer incense, entering into the temple of the Lord.
10 Toda la asamblea del pueblo permanecía afuera, en oración, mientras se ofrecía el incienso.	10 And the entire multitude of the people was praying outside, at the hour of incense.
11 Entonces se le apareció el Angel del Señor, de pie, a la derecha del altar del incienso.	11 Then there appeared to him an Angel of the Lord, standing at the right of the altar of incense.
12 Al verlo, Zacarías quedó desconcertado y tuvo miedo.	12 And upon seeing him, Zechariah was disturbed, and fear fell over him.
13 Pero el Angel le dijo: «No temas, Zacarías; tu súplica ha sido escuchada. Isabel, tu esposa, te dará un hijo al que llamarás Juan.	13 But the Angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth shall bear a son to you. And you shall call his name John.
14 El será para ti un motivo de gozo y de alegría, y muchos se alegrarán de su nacimiento,	14 And there will be joy and exultation for you, and many will rejoice in his nativity.
15 porque será grande a los ojos del Señor. No beberá vino ni bebida alcohólica; estará lleno del Espíritu Santo desde el seno de su madre,	15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
16 y hará que muchos israelitas vuelvan al Señor, su Dios.	16 And he will convert many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.
17 Precederá al Señor con el espíritu y el poder de Elías, para reconciliar a los padres con sus hijos y atraer a los rebeldes a la sabiduría de los justos, preparando así al Señor un Pueblo bien dispuesto».	17 And he will go before him with the spirit and power of Elijah, so that he may turn the hearts of the fathers to the sons, and the incredulous to the prudence of the just, so as to prepare for the Lord a completed people.”
18 Pero Zacarías dijo al Angel: «¿Cómo puedo estar seguro de esto? Porque yo soy anciano y mi esposa es de edad avanzada».	18 And Zechariah said to the Angel: “How may I know this? For I am elderly, and my wife is advanced in years.”
19 El Angel le respondió: «Yo soy Gabriel, el que está delante de Dios, y he sido enviado para hablarte y anunciarte esta buena noticia.	19 And in response, the Angel said to him: “I am Gabriel, who stands before God, and I have been sent to speak to you, and to proclaim these things to you.
20 Te quedarás mudo, sin poder hablar hasta el día en que sucedan estas cosas, por no haber creído en mis palabras, que se cumplirán a su debido tiempo».	20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak, until the day on which these things shall be, because you have not believed my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”
21 Mientras tanto, el pueblo estaba esperando a Zacarías, extrañado de que permaneciera tanto tiempo en el Santuario.	21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah. And they wondered why he was being delayed in the temple.
22 Cuando salió, no podía hablarles, y todos comprendieron que había tenido alguna visión en el Santuario. El se expresaba por señas, porque había quedado mudo.	22 Then, when he came out, he was unable to speak to them. And they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he was making signs to them, but he remained mute.
23 Al cumplirse el tiempo de su servicio en el Templo, regresó a su casa.	23 And it happened that, after the days of his office were completed, he went away to his house.
24 Poco después, su esposa Isabel concibió un hijo y permaneció oculta durante cinco meses.	24 Then, after those days, his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she hid herself for five months, saying:
25 Ella pensaba: «Esto es lo que el Señor ha hecho por mí, cuando decidió librarme de lo que me avergonzaba ante los hombres».	25 “For the Lord did this for me, at the time when he decided to take away my reproach among men.”
26 En el sexto mes, el ángel Gabriel fue enviado por Dios a una ciudad de Galilea, llamada Nazaret,	26 Then, in the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent by God, to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 a una virgen que estaba comprometida con un hombre perteneciente a la familia de David, llamado José. El nombre de la virgen era María.	27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary.
28 El Angel entró en su casa y la saludó, diciendo: «¡Alégrate!, llena de gracia, el Señor está contigo».	28 And upon entering, the Angel said to her: “Hail, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.”
29 Al oír estas palabras, ella quedó desconcertada y se preguntaba qué podía significar ese saludo.	29 And when she had heard this, she was disturbed by his words, and she considered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 Pero el Angel le dijo: «No temas, María, porque Dios te ha favorecido.	30 And the Angel said to her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God.
31 Concebirás y darás a luz un hijo, y le pondrás por nombre Jesús;	31 Behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and you shall bear a son, and you shall call his name: JESUS.
32 él será grande y será llamado Hijo del Altísimo. El Señor Dios le dará el trono de David, su padre,	32 He will be great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. And he will reign in the house of Jacob for eternity.
33 reinará sobre la casa de Jacob para siempre y su reino no tendrá fin».	33 And his kingdom shall have no end.”
34 María dijo al Angel: «¿Cómo puede ser eso, si yo no tengo relaciones con ningún hombre?».	34 Then Mary said to the Angel, “How shall this be done, since I do not know man?”
35 El Angel le respondió: «El Espíritu Santo descenderá sobre ti y el poder del Altísimo te cubrirá con su sombra. Por eso el niño será Santo y será llamado Hijo de Dios.	35 And in response, the Angel said to her: “The Holy Spirit will pass over you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. And because of this also, the Holy One who will be born of you shall be called the Son of God.
36 También tu parienta Isabel concibió un hijo a pesar de su vejez, y la que era considerada estéril, ya se encuentra en su sexto mes,	36 And behold, your cousin Elizabeth has herself also conceived a son, in her old age. And this is the sixth month for her who is called barren.
37 porque no hay nada imposible para Dios».	37 For no word will be impossible with God.”
38 María dijo entonces: «Yo soy la servidora del Señor, que se cumpla en mí lo que has dicho».Y el Angel se alejó.	38 Then Mary said: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.” And the Angel departed from her.
39 En aquellos días, María partió y fue sin demora a un pueblo de la montaña de Judá.	39 And in those days, Mary, rising up, traveled quickly into the hill country, to a city of Judah.
40 Entró en la casa de Zacarías y saludó a Isabel.	40 And she entered into the house of Zechariah, and she greeted Elizabeth.
41 Apenas esta oyó el saludo de María, el niño saltó de alegría en su seno, e Isabel, llena del Espíritu Santo,	41 And it happened that, as Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 exclamó: «¡Tú eres bendita entre todas las mujeres y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre!	42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
43 ¿Quién soy yo, para que la madre de mi Señor venga a visitarme?	43 And how does this concern me, so that the mother of my Lord would come to me?
44 Apenas oí tu saludo, el niño saltó de alegría en mi seno.	44 For behold, as the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
45 Feliz de ti por haber creído que se cumplirá lo que te fue anunciado de parte del Señor».	45 And blessed are you who believed, for the things that were spoken to you by the Lord shall be accomplished.”
46 María dijo entonces: «Mi alma canta la grandeza del Señor,	46 And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord.
47 y mi espíritu se estremece de gozo en Dios, mi salvador,	47 And my spirit leaps for joy in God my Saviour.
48 porque el miró con bondad la pequeñez de tu servidora. En adelante todas las generaciones me llamarán feliz,	48 For he has looked with favor on the humility of his handmaid. For behold, from this time, all generations shall call me blessed.
49 porque el Todopoderoso he hecho en mí grandes cosas: ¡su Nombre es santo!	49 For he who is great has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 Su misericordia se extiende de generación en generación sobre aquellos que lo temen.	50 And his mercy is from generation to generations for those who fear him.
51 Desplegó la fuerza de su brazo, dispersó a los soberbios de corazón.	51 He has accomplished powerful deeds with his arm. He has scattered the arrogant in the intentions of their heart.
52 Derribó a los poderosos de su trono y elevó a los humildes.	52 He has deposed the powerful from their seat, and he has exalted the humble.
53 Colmó de bienes a los hambrientos y despidió a los ricos con las manos vacías.	53 He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 Socorrió a Israel, su servidor, acordándose de su misericordia,	54 He has taken up his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy,
55 como lo había prometido a nuestros padres, en favor de Abraham y de su descendencia para siempre».	55 just as he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
56 María permaneció con Isabel unos tres meses y luego regresó a su casa.	56 Then Mary stayed with her for about three months. And she returned to her own house.
57 Cuando llegó el tiempo en que Isabel debía ser madre, dio a luz un hijo.	57 Now the time for Elizabeth to give birth arrived, and she brought forth a son.
58 Al enterarse sus vecinos y parientes de la gran misericordia con que Dios la había tratado, se alegraban con ella.	58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy with her, and so they congratulated her.
59 A los ocho días, se reunieron para circuncidar al niño, y querían llamarlo Zacarías, como su padre;	59 And it happened that, on the eighth day, they arrived to circumcise the boy, and they called him by his father’s name, Zechariah.
60 pero la madre dijo: «No, debe llamarse Juan».	60 And in response, his mother said: “Not so. Instead, he shall be called John.”
61 Ellos le decían: «No hay nadie en tu familia que lleve ese nombre».	61 And they said to her, “But there is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.”
62 Entonces preguntaron por señas al padre qué nombre quería que le pusieran.	62 Then they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him to be called.
63 Este pidió una pizarra y escribió: «Su nombre es Juan». Todos quedaron admirados. ]	63 And requesting a writing tablet, he wrote, saying: “His name is John.” And they all wondered.
64 Y en ese mismo momento, Zacarías recuperó el habla y comenzó a alabar a Dios.	64 Then, at once, his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosened, and he spoke, blessing God.
65 Este acontecimiento produjo una gran impresión entre la gente de los alrededores, y se lo comentaba en toda la región montañosa de Judea.	65 And fear fell upon all of their neighbors. And all these words were made known throughout all the hill country of Judea.
66 Todos los que se enteraron guardaban este recuerdo en su corazón y se decían: «¿Qué llegará a ser este niño?». Porque la mano del Señor estaba con él.	66 And all those who heard it stored it up in their heart, saying: “What do you think this boy will be?” And indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 Entonces Zacarías, su padre, quedó lleno del Espíritu Santo y dijo proféticamente:	67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit. And he prophesied, saying:
68 «Bendito sea el Señor, el Dios de Israel, porque ha visitado y redimido a su Pueblo,	68 “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel. For he has visited and has wrought the redemption of his people.
69 y nos ha dado un poderoso Salvador en la casa de David, su servidor,	69 And he has raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of David his servant,
70 como lo había anunciado mucho tiempo antes, por boca de sus santos profetas,	70 just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy Prophets, who are from ages past:
71 para salvarnos de nuestros enemigos y de las manos de todos los que nos odian.	71 salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all those who hate us,
72 Así tuvo misericordia de nuestros padres y se acordó de su santa Alianza,	72 to accomplish mercy with our fathers, and to call to mind his holy testament,
73 del juramento que hizo a nuestro padre Abraham	73 the oath, which he swore to Abraham, our father, that he would grant to us,
74 de concedernos que, libres de temor, arrancados de las manos de nuestros enemigos,	74 so that, having been freed from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him without fear,
75 lo sirvamos en santidad y justicia, bajo su mirada, durante toda nuestra vida.	75 in holiness and in justice before him, throughout all our days.
76 Y tú, niño, serás llamado Profeta del Altísimo, porque irás delante del Señor preparando sus caminos,	76 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will go before the face of the Lord: to prepare his ways,
77 para hacer conocer a su Pueblo la salvación mediante el perdón de los pecados;	77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people for the remission of their sins,
78 gracias a la misericordiosa ternura de nuestro Dios, que nos traerá del cielo la visita del Sol naciente,	78 through the heart of the mercy of our God, by which, descending from on high, he has visited us,
79 para iluminar a los que están en las tinieblas y en la sombra de la muerte, y guiar nuestros pasos por el camino de la paz».	79 to illuminate those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to direct our feet in the way of peace.”
80 El niño iba creciendo y se fortalecía en su espíritu; y vivió en lugares desiertos hasta el día en que se manifestó a Israel.	80 And the child grew, and he was strengthened in spirit. And he was in the wilderness, until the day of his manifestation to Israel.