Study Desk

Now ^(F1)at this time Mary set out and went in a hurry to ^(C1)the hill country, to a city of Judah,

and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was ^(C1)filled with the Holy Spirit.

And she cried out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

"And ^(F1)how has it happened to me that the mother of ^(C1)my Lord would come to me?

"For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.

"And ^(C1)blessed is she who ^(F1)believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her ^(F2)by the Lord."

And Mary said: "^(C1)My soul ^(F1)(C2)exalts the Lord,

And ^(C1)my spirit has rejoiced in ^(C2)God my Savior.

-"For ^(C1)He has had regard for the humble state of His bond-servant; For behold, from now on all generations will ^(F1)call me ^(C2)blessed.

-"For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.

-"^(C1)And His mercy is to generation ^(F1)after generation Toward those who fear Him.

-"^(C1)He has done ^(F1)mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the ^(F2)thoughts of their hearts.

-"He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has ^(C1)exalted those who were humble.

-"^(C1)He has filled the hungry with good things, And sent the rich away empty-handed.

-"He has given help to His servant Israel, ^(F1)In remembrance of His mercy,

^(C1)Just as He spoke to our fathers, ^(C2)To Abraham and his ^(F1)descendants forever."

Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.