22-01
God Spoke to Zechariah [22-01]
In the past, God had spoken to his people through his angels and prophets. But then 400 years went by when he did not speak to them. Suddenly an angel came with a message from God to an old priest named Zechariah. Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, were godly people, but she had not been able to have any children.
在最后一个先知对以色列人说话之后400多年，一个天使向一个叫撒迦利亚的祭司显现。他是一个圣洁的人，但他的妻子，伊丽莎白，不能生育。
Important Terms:
Translation Notes:
- his people - This could be translated as, "his people, the Israelites" or "his people, the Jews." But only include the added information if it is not clearly understood who these people were.
- 400 years went by - Another way to say this would be, "400 years passed" or "there were 400 years." 400 years had passed since the last Old Testament prophet, Malachi.
- when he did not speak to them - That is, "during which God did not give any messages to the prophets for his people."
- godly people - That is, "people who obeyed God."
22-02
You Will Have a Son [22-02]
The angel said to Zechariah, “Your wife will have a son. You will name him John. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and will prepare the people for the Messiah!” Zechariah responded, “My wife and I are too old to have children! How will I know this will happen?”
天使对撒迦利亚说，“你的妻子将有一个儿子。你要给他起名叫约翰。他将成为弥赛亚到来之前的大先知！”撒迦利亚回应道，“我的妻和我都太老了，不可能有孩子的！我怎会知道这些事会不会发生呢？”
Important Terms:
Translation Notes:
- The angel - This refers to the angel that came to Zechariah in [[:zh:obs:notes:frames:22-01|[22-01]]].
- filled with the Holy Spirit - That is, "controlled by the Holy Spirit" or, "given wisdom and power by the Holy Spirit."
- How will I know this will happen? - Another way to translate this would be, "How can I be sure that this will truly happen?"
22-03
Unable to Speak [22-03]
The angel responded to Zechariah, “I was sent by God to bring you this good news. Because you did not believe me, you will not be able to speak until the child is born.” Immediately, Zechariah was unable to speak. Then the angel left Zechariah. After this, Zechariah returned home and his wife became pregnant.
天使回答道，“我是奉神差遣带给你这个好消息的。因为你不信我，你从现在起将不能说话，直到那孩子出世。”立刻，撒迦利亚便哑了。天使离开。撒迦利亚回家，她的妻子便怀孕了。
Important Terms:
Translation Notes:
- became pregnant - Some languages have polite ways of saying "become pregnant." Use an expression that will not be embarrassing to readers.
22-04
An Angel Spoke to Mary [22-04]
When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, the same angel suddenly appeared to Elizabeth’s relative, whose name was Mary. She was a virgin and was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. The angel said, “You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You are to name him Jesus. He will be the Son of the Most High God and will rule forever.”
当伊丽莎白怀孕六个月的时候，同一个天使向伊丽莎白的亲戚，玛利亚显现。她还是处女，并且已经许配给了一个男人，名叫约瑟。天使说，“你会怀孕并且会生一个男孩。”
Important Terms:
Translation Notes:
- six months pregnant - Either she had already been pregnant for six months or she was in the sixth month of her pregnancy.
- pregnant - Different languages have different idioms to talk about pregnancy, such as "she was with child" or, "she had one in her body" or, "she had belly." Some languages have special ways of speaking about it politely, such as "she was expecting." Use an expression that will not be embarrassing to readers.
- Elizabeth - She was Zechariah's wife. An angel told Zechariah that Elizabeth would give birth to a son.
- Elizabeth's relative - Many translations say, "cousin" here but we don't know exactly how these two women were related. A general term like, "relative," "kin" or, "cousin" could be used.
- was engaged - That is, "was promised."
22-05
The Mother of the Messiah [22-05]
Mary replied, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel explained, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of God will overshadow you. So the baby will be holy, the Son of God.” Mary believed and accepted what the angel said.
天使继续说，“你要叫他耶稣。他就是弥赛亚！”玛利亚回应道，“这事怎么能成呢？我还是个处女啊？”天使解释道，“圣灵将会降临到你身上，你会怀孕。所以你的儿子将会被称为至高神的儿子。”
Important Terms:
Translation Notes:
- How can this be - That is, "How can I become pregnant?" Mary was not doubting the truth of the angel's words, but asking how it would happen.
- Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of God will overshadow you - These are two ways of saying the same thing: "By the power of God, the Holy Spirit will miraculously cause you to become pregnant." Make sure the translation of this sentence does not sound like there was any physical contact involved. This was a miracle.
22-06
Mary and Elizabeth [22-06]
Soon after the angel spoke to Mary, she went and visited Elizabeth. As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s baby jumped inside her. The women rejoiced together about what God had done for them. After Mary visited Elizabeth for three months, Mary returned home.
不久之后，玛利亚去拜访伊丽莎白。当伊丽莎白一听到玛利亚打招呼，她腹中的胎儿就跳跃。女人们因为神为她们所做的而喜乐。玛利亚在那住了三个月后就回去自己家。
Important Terms:
Translation Notes:
- Elizabeth - See the note about Elizabeth on [[:zh:obs:notes:frames:22-05|[22-04]]].
- As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting - For some languages it may be better to say, "Mary greeted Elizabeth and as soon as Elizabeth heard her."
- baby jumped inside her - The baby moved suddenly inside Elizabeth's womb in response to Mary's greeting to Elizabeth.
- what God had done for them - This refers to the fact that both women were pregnant through God's supernatural intervention. Mary had conceived without a man, and Elizabeth had conceived with Zechariah after she was past the age of childbearing.
22-07
The Birth of John [22-07]
After Elizabeth gave birth to her baby boy, Zechariah and Elizabeth named the baby John, as the angel had commanded. Then God allowed Zechariah to speak again. Zechariah said, “Praise God, because he has remembered his people! You, my son, will be called the prophet of the Most High God who will tell the people how they can receive forgiveness for their sins!”
当伊丽莎白生下男孩后，他们按照天使的命令，给他起名约翰。神又允许撒迦利亚说话。他说，“赞美神，因为他仍记得他的民！你，我的儿子，将被称为至高神的先知！你将为弥赛亚预备道路！”
Important Terms:
Translation Notes:
- Elizabeth - See the note about Elizabeth on [[:zh:obs:notes:frames:22-05|[22-04]]].
- Praise God - That is, "We should all praise God."
- will be called - This is another way of saying, "will be" or, "will be known as." John would actually be the Prophet of the Most High God.
- the prophet - That is, "the very important prophet." John would be the prophet that the Old Testament prophets had predicted would come before the Messiah.
- Most High God - Another way to say this would be, "the God who is greater than everything" or, "the God who rules over everything."
- A Bible story from - These references may be slightly different in some Bible translations.