Luke 1:5-25 - The Prediction Of John The Baptist's Birth

⁵ There was in the days of Herod, king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the daily order of Abia: and his wife the daughter of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth. ⁶ And they were both just before God, going faultless in all the commands and precepts of the Lord. ⁷ And no child was to them, as Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in their days.

⁸ And it was in his being priest, in the arranging of the daily order before God, ⁹ According to the custom of the priesthood, he drew lots to burn incense, having entered into the temple of the Lord. ¹⁰ And all the multitude of people were praying without at the hour of incense. ¹¹ And a messenger of the Lord was seen to him, standing from the right of the altar of fumigation. ¹² And Zacharias having seen, was troubled, and fear fell upon him. ¹³ And the messenger said to him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy supplication has been heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. ¹⁴ And joy shall be to thee, and gladness: and many shall rejoice at his birth. ¹⁵ For he shall be great before the Lord, and wine and fermented liquor he should not drink; and with the Holy Spirit shall he be filled, even from his mother's womb. ¹⁶ And many of the sons of Israel shall he turn back to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he shall come before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn back the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the intelligence of the just; to prepare a people having been put in order for the Lord.

¹⁸ And Zacharias said to the messenger, By what shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife advanced in her days.

¹⁹ The messenger having answered, said to him, I am Gabriel, standing before God; and was sent to speak to thee, and announce these good news to thee. ²⁰ And, behold, thou shalt be silent, and not able to speak, till the day in which these things shall be, because thou didst not believe my words, which shall be completed in their time.

²¹ And the people were expecting Zacharias, and wondered at his tarrying in the temple. ²² And having come out, he could not speak to them: and they knew that he had seen a vision in the temple: and he was nodding to them, and remained dumb. ²³ And it was when the days of his service were filled, he departed to his house.

²⁴ And after these days Elizabeth his wife conceived, and concealed herself five months, saying, ²⁵ That so has the Lord done to me in days which he looked upon, to take away my reproach among men.