^{3 Ref} it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;

^{4 Ref} that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.

^{5 Ref} There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

^{6 Ref} They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.

^{7 Ref} But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.

^{8 Ref} Now it happened, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his division,

^{9 Ref} according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

^{10 Ref} The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.

^{11 Ref} An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

^{12 Ref} Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.

^{13 Ref} But the angel said to him, "Don't be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

^{14 Ref} You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.

^{15 Ref} For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.

^{16 Ref} He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God.

^{17 Ref} He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."