Luke 1:57-80 ▼

57 When Elizabeth had gone her full time, she was delivered of a son.

58 her neighbours and her relations having heard how the Lord had heap'd his favours upon her, they congratulated with her:

59 and on the eighth day were present at the circumcision of the child, but upon their proposing to call him by his father's name, Zacharias: his mother objected to it,

60 and said, no, he shall be called John.

61 they answered her, there is not any of your family of that name.

62 they therefore ask'd his father to signify how he would have him call'd.

63 then he made signs for a writing-book, and writ these words, "his name is John:" at which they were all surprized.

64 immediately he had the use of his speech: and he uttered himself in praises to God.

65 All the neighbourhood were struck with reverence, and the rumour of these events ran thro' all the mountains of Judea,

66 and made an impression upon all that heard of them, what a child will this be? said they, for the divine influence does attend him.

67 Then Zacharias his father, inspired by the holy spirit, vented his divine enthusiasm in these words.

68 "blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he hath regarded and wrought a deliverance for his people:

69 he hath rais'd up a powerful saviour for us, in the family of his servant David,

70 according to the antient promise he made by the mouth of the holy prophets,

71 to deliver us from our enemies, and from the power of all that hate us:

72 to show regard to our forefathers, in performing his holy covenant,

73 the oath which he made to our father Abraham, to grant us this favour,

74 that we should be delivered from the power of our enemies, and serve him with security,

75 in the sincere practice of holiness and justice, all our days.

76 and you, dear babe, you shall be the prophet of the most high: for you shall go before the Lord, in order to prepare his way,

77 by acquainting his people how they may be saved by the remission of their sins,

78 through the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun has visited us from on high,

79 to enlighten those, who are in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to direct our steps into the ways of peace."

80 Now the child continued to grow, and greatly improv'd in sense; and was in the desarts till the time, when he was to be manifested to Israel.