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 course of Abia; and his wife was of the family of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous in the sight of God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, for Elisabeth was barren; and they were both far advanced in years.
8 And it came to pass, while he was in the order of his course performing the priest's office before God, 9 according to the custom of dividing the office of the priests, that it fell to his lot to burn incense, entring into the temple of the Lord: 10 and all the people were praying without at the time of offering incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right hand of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was startled and struck with fear: 13 but the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John: 14 and he shall be a joy and transport to thee, yea, many shall rejoice on account of his birth; for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, 15 and he shall drink neither wine nor any other strong liquor; and he shall be filled with the holy Spirit even from his birth; 16 and many of the children of Israel shall he convert unto the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to prepare for the Lord a people well-disposed.
18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife far advanced in years.
19 And the angel answering said to him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God, and I am sent to speak to thee, and to tell thee this good news: 20 and now shalt thou be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall come to pass; because thou believedst not my words, which shall be fulfilled at their season.
21 And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and wondered at his staying so long in the temple: 22 but when he came out he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he made signs to them, and continued speechless: 23 and as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24 And after these days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and retired five months, 25 saying, the Lord hath thus dealt with me in the days wherein he looked upon me to take away my reproach among men.