1 ⁵⁷ NOW THE TIME CAME for Elizabeth's child to be born, and she gave birth to a son. 1 ⁵⁸ When her neighbours and relatives heard what great favour the Lord had shown her, they were as delighted as she was. 1 ⁵⁹ Then on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. 1 ⁶⁰ But his mother spoke up and said, 'No! he is to be called John.' 1 ⁶¹ 'But', they said, 'there is nobody in your family who has that name.' 1 ⁶² They inquired of his father by signs what he would like him to be called. 1 ⁶³ He asked for a writing-tablet and to the astonishment of all wrote down, 'His name is John.' 1 ⁶⁴ Immediately his lips and tongue were freed and he began to speak, praising God. 1 ⁶⁵ All the neighbours were struck with awe, and everywhere in the uplands of Judaea the whole story became common talk. 1 ⁶⁶ All who heard it were deeply impressed and said, 'What will this child become?' For indeed the hand of the Lord was upon him. Some witnesses read: 'What will this child become, for indeed the hand of the Lord is upon him?'