Luke 1:57-80 ▼

57 Now when Elizabeth's full time was come, she gave birth to a son;

58 and her neighbours and relatives heard how the Lord had had great compassion on her; and they rejoiced with her.

59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and were going to call him Zechariah, after his father.

60 His mother, however, said, "No, he is to be called John."

61 "There is not one of your family," they said, "who has that name."

62 They asked his father by signs what he wished him to be called.

63 So he asked for a writing-tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered.

64 Instantly his mouth and his tongue were set free, and he began to speak and bless God.

65 And all who lived round about them were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judaea reports of all these things were spread abroad.

66 All who heard the story treasured it in their memories. "What then will this child be?" they said. For the lord's hand was indeed with him.

67 And Zechariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke in a rapture of praise.

68 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel," he said, "Because He has not forgotten His people but has effected redemption for them,

69 And has raised up a mighty Deliverer for us In the house of David His servant--

70 As He has spoken from all time by the lips of His holy Prophets--

71 To deliver us from our foes and from the power of all who hate us.

72 He dealt pitifully with our forefathers, And remembered His holy covenant,

73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our forefather,

74 To grant us to be rescued from the power of our foes And so render worship to Him free from fear,

75 In piety and uprightness before Him all our days.

76 And you moreover, O child, shall be called Prophet of the Most High; For you shall go on in front before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,

77 To give to His People a knowledge of salvation In the forgiveness of their sins,

78 Through the tender compassion of our God, Through which the daybreak from on high will come to us,

79 Dawning on those who now dwell in the darkness and shadow of death--To direct our feet into the path of peace."

80 And the child grew and became strong in character, and lived in the Desert till the time came for him to appear publicly to Israel.