NOW at this time of her first
coming into Galilee, the
angel Gabriel was sent to her
from God, to declare to her the
conception of our Saviour, and
the manner and way of her
conceiving him.
2 Accordingly going into her,
he filled the chamber where she
was with a prodigious light, and
in a most courteous manner saluting
her, he said,
3 Hail, Mary! Virgin of the
Lord most acceptable! O Virgin
full of grace! The Lord is with
you. You are blessed above all
women, and you are blessed above
all men, that have been hitherto
born.
4 But the Virgin, who had
before been well acquainted with
the countenances of angels, and
to whom such light from heaven
was no uncommon thing,
5 Was neither terrified with the
vision of the angel, nor astonished
at the greatness of the light, but
only troubled about the angel's
words,
6 And began to consider what
so extraordinary a salutation should
mean, what it did portend, or what
sort of end it would have.
7 To this thought the angel,
divinely inspired, replies;
8 Fear not, Mary, as though
I intended anything inconsistent
with your chastity in this salutation:
9 For you have found favour
with the Lord, because you made
virginity your choice.
10 Therefore while you are a
Virgin, you shall conceive without
sin, and bring forth a son.