26 When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent his messenger Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in the Galilee region. 27 [ref]Gabriel went to a young woman named Maria who was engaged to be married to Yosef, a descendant of King David, 28 and entering the room, spoke to her, “Hello there. The master is with you and he’s chosen you to be honoured.” 29 Maria was very puzzled by the statement and wondered what kind of greeting it could be 30 as the messenger continued, “Don’t be scared, Maria, because you have found God’s favour 31 [ref]and listen, you will conceive a baby and go on to give birth to a son, and you should name him Yeshua. 32 [ref]He will be very special and will be called the son of the highest one, and God the master will give him the throne of David, his ancestor. 33 He will reign over Yacob’s descendants throughout the ages, and his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How would this work,” Maria asked the messenger, “because I’ve never slept with a guy?”

35 “The holy spirit will come over you,” answered the messenger, “and the power of the highest one will overshadow you, and so the holy child that will be born will be called God’s son. 36 Also, your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age—the one who was called barren is now six months pregnant 37 [ref]because with God, his statements always come to pass.”

38 “Look here,” said Maria, “I’m the master’s servant girl. May everything you said come true.” Then the messenger left her.