us; (3)it seemed good to me also, having accurately
traced all from the very first, to write to thee in order, most
excellent Theophilus; (4)that thou mightest know the certainty
concerning those things[1:4] wherein thou wast instructed.

(5)There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain
priest, Zachariah by name, of the course of Abijah; and his wife was
of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. (6)And they
were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and
ordinances of the Lord blameless. (7)And they had no child, because
Elisabeth was barren; and they both were now far advanced in years.

(8)And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office
before God, in the order of his course, (9)it fell to his lot,
according to the custom of the priest's office, to burn incense, going
into the temple of the Lord. (10)And the whole multitude of the people
were praying without, at the hour of incense. (11)And there appeared
to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar
of incense. (12)And Zachariah seeing him was troubled, and fear fell
upon him. (13)But the angel said to him: Fear not, Zachariah; for thy
prayer was heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and
thou shalt call his name John. (14)And thou shalt have joy and
gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. (15)For he shall be
great before the Lord; and he shall not drink wine nor strong drink;
and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's
womb. (16)And many of the sons of Israel shall he turn to the Lord
their God. (17)And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of
Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the
disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a prepared people
for the Lord.

(18)And Zachariah said to the angel: Whereby shall I know this? For I
am an old man, and my wife is far advanced in years. (19)And the angel
answering said to him: I am Gabriel, that stands in the presence of
God; and I was sent to speak to thee, and to bring thee these glad
tidings. (20)And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak,
until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou didst
not believe thy words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

(21)And the people were waiting for Zachariah; and they were wondering
at his long tarrying in the temple. (22)And when he came out he was
not able to speak t