Luke 1:1-19 ▼

1 Inasmuch as many took in hand to draw up a narration concerning the things having been fully carried out among us,

2 just as they delivered them to us—those from the beginning having been eyewitnesses and servants of the word—

3 it seemed good also to me, having followed closely from the first all things carefully, to write in consecutive order to you, most excellent Theophilus,

4 so that you may know the certainty of the things that you were instructed.

5 There was in the days of Herod king of Judea a certain priest, by name Zechariah, of the division of Abijah, and his wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth.

6 And they were both righteous before God, going on in all the commandments and righteous requirements of the Lord, blameless.

7 And unto them was no child, as Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in their days.

8 Now it came to pass in his serving as priest in the order of his division before God,

9 according to the custom of the priesthood, that it fell to him by lot to burn incense, having entered into the temple of the Lord.

10 And all the multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense.

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

12 And Zechariah was troubled having seen, and fear fell upon him.

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

14 And he will be joy and exultation to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,

15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he shall never drink wine and strong drink, and he will be full of the Holy Spirit even from the womb of his mother.

16 And many of the sons of Israel he will turn to the Lord their God.

17 And he will go on 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 righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “By what will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in her days.”

19 And answering, the angel said to him, “I am Gabriel, the one standing before God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring these good tidings to you.