Luke 1:1-9 ▼

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.