1 5 IN THE DAYS of Herod king of Judaea there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of the priesthood called after Abijah. His wife also was of priestly descent; her name was Elizabeth. 1 6 Both of them were upright and devout, blamelessly observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. 1 7 But they had no children, for Elizabeth was barren, and both were well on in years.
1 8 Once, when it was the turn of his division and he was there to take part in divine service, 1 9 it fell to his lot, by priestly custom, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer the incense; 1 10 and the whole congregation was at prayer outside. It was the hour of the incense-offering. 1 11 There appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right of the altar of incense. 1 12 At this sight, Zechariah was startled, and fear overcame him. 1 13 But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard: your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.
1 18 Zechariah said to the angel, 'How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well on in years.' 1 19 The angel replied, 'I am Gabriel; I stand in attendance upon God, and I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news. 1 20 But now listen: you will lose your power of speech, and remain silent until the day when these things happen to you, because you have not believed me, though at their proper time my words will be proved true.' 1 21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, surprised that he was staying so long inside. 1 22 When he did come out he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had had a vision in the sanctuary. He stood there making signs to them, and remained dumb. 1 23 When his period of duty was completed Zechariah returned home.
1 24 After this his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she lived in seclusion, thinking, 'This is the Lord's doing; 1 25 now at last he has deigned to take away my reproach among men.'