Luke 1:5-25
John the Baptist’s Birth Foretold
5aIn the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the bdivision of 1Abijah, and he had a wife 2from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6And they were both arighteous in the sight of God, walking bblamelessly in all the commandments and righteous requirements of the 1Lord. 7But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in 1years.
8Now it happened that while ahe was performing his priestly service before God in the order of his division, 9according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot ato enter the 1sanctuary of the 2Lord and burn incense. 10And the whole multitude of the people were praying aoutside at the hour of the incense offering. 11And aan angel of the 1Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12And Zechariah was troubled when he saw the angel, and afear fell upon him. 13But the angel said to him, “aDo not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will 1bear you a son, and byou will call his name 2John. 14“And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15“For he will be great in the sight of the 1Lord; and ahe will not drink any wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit 2while yet in his mother’s womb. 16“And he will aturn many of the sons of Israel back to the 1Lord their God. 17“And he will ago before Him in the spirit and power of bElijah, cto turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, to dmake ready a people prepared for the 1Lord.”
18And Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know this? For aI am an old man and my wife is advanced in 1years.” 19And the angel answered and said to him, “I am aGabriel, who bstands before God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20“And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
21And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and were wondering at his delay in the sanctuary. 22But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. And he akept 1making signs to them, and remained mute. 23And it happened that when the days of his priestly service were fulfilled, he went back home.