Mary’s Song of Praise

46 And Mary^* said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷   and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
⁴⁸for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
   and holy is his name.
⁵⁰His mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation.
⁵¹He has shown strength with his arm;
   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
⁵²He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
   and lifted up the lowly;
⁵³he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel,
   in remembrance of his mercy,
⁵⁵according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
   to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

56 And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home.