Luke 1:1-13 ▼

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,

2 just as those, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, handed them down to us,

3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in orderly sequence, most excellent Theophilus,

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

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah, and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

6 And they were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and righteous requirements of the Lord.

7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.

8 Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the order of his division,

9 according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.

10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of the incense offering.

11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.

12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will call his name John.