Luke 1:1-13 ▼

1 Since many people have attempted to write an orderly account of the events that have transpired among us,

2 just as they were passed down to us by those who had been eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning,

3 I, too, have carefully investigated everything from the beginning and have decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

5 During the reign of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

6 Both of them were righteous before God, having lived blamelessly according to all of the commandments and regulations of the Lord.

7 They had no children because Elizabeth was barren and because both of them were getting old.

8 When Zechariah was serving with his division of priests in God's presence,

9 he was chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, according to the custom of the priests.

10 And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned.

11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar.

12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him.

13 But the angel told him, |Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John.