First Joyful Mystery:  THE ANNUNCIATION

1. In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent to a Virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph; and the Virgin's name was Mary.

2. And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!"

3. But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be.

4. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

5. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus.

6. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David.

7. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there will be no end."

8. Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?"

9. The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the Child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

10. And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Second Joyful Mystery:  THE VISITATION

1. In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth.

2. When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit

3. and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

4. And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

5. For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.

6. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

7. And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

8. for He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;

9. for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

10. And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.

Third Joyful Mystery:  THE NATIVITY

1. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit.

2. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

3. But an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit

4. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

5. When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife

6. but knew her not until she had borne a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

7. Joseph went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,

8. to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

9. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.

10. And she gave birth to her first-born Son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Fourth Joyful Mystery:  THE PRESENTATION

1. And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

2. Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

3. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

4. He took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word;

5. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,

6. A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Thy people Israel."

7. His father and His mother marveled at what was said about Him;

8. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against

9. (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."

10. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.

Fifth Joyful Mystery:  FINDING OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE

1. Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to custom;

2. When the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.

3. His parents did not know it, but supposing Him to be in the company they went a day's journey,

4. They sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

5. After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

6. And when they saw Him they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously."

7. And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

8. And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.

9. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and His mother kept all these things in her heart.

10. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.