Luke:1:1-23

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* Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us , * just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us , * it seemed good to me also , having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first , to write to you an orderly account , most excellent Theophilus , * that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed . * There was in the days of Herod , the king of Judea , a certain priest named Zacharias , of the division of Abijah . His wife was of the daughters of Aaron , and her name was Elizabeth . * And they were both righteous before God , walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless . * But they had no child , because Elizabeth was barren , and they were both well advanced in years . * So it was , that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division , * according to the custom of the priesthood , his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord . * And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense . * Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him , standing on the right side of the altar of incense . * And when Zacharias saw him , he was troubled , and fear fell upon him . * But the angel said to him , "Do not be afraid , Zacharias , for your prayer is heard ; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son , and you shall call his name John . * And you will have joy and gladness , and many will rejoice at his birth . * For he will be great in the sight of the Lord , and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink . He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit , even from his mother 's womb . * And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God . * He will also 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 ." * And Zacharias said to the angel , "How shall I know this ? For I am an old man , and my wife is well advanced in years ." * And the angel answered and said to him , "I am Gabriel , who stands in the presence of God , and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings . * But behold , you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place , because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time ." * And the people waited for Zacharias , and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple . * But when he came out , he could not speak to them ; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple , for he beckoned to them and remained speechless . * So it was , as soon as the days of his service were completed , that he departed to his own house .

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