riversident - Luke:1:5-25

riversident@Luke:1:5 @ There was in the days of Herod, King of Judaea, a certain priest by the name of Zacharias, of the course of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

riversident@Luke:1:6 @ They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and regulations of the Lord blameless.

riversident@Luke:1:7 @ But they had no child, for Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.

riversident@Luke:1:8 @ It happened that as Zacharias was performing his priestly duties before God in the order of his course,

riversident@Luke:1:9 @ according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him to enter the Temple of the Lord and offer the incense.

riversident@Luke:1:10 @ All the congregation of people was in prayer outside, at the hour of incense.

riversident@Luke:1:11 @ There appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

riversident@Luke:1:12 @ Zacharias, on seeing him, was alarmed and fear fell upon him.

riversident@Luke:1:13 @ But the angel said to him, "Do not fear, Zacharias, for your prayer has been heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and you will call his name John.

riversident@Luke:1:14 @ You will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth.

riversident@Luke:1:15 @ For he will be great before the Lord. He will not drink wine or strong drink. He will be full of the Holy Spirit even from his birth,

riversident@Luke:1:16 @ and many of the sons of Israel will he turn to the Lord their God.

riversident@Luke:1:17 @ He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him."

riversident@Luke:1:18 @ Zacharias said to the angel, "By what proof shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."

riversident@Luke:1:19 @ The angel answered, "I am Gabriel, who stands before the face of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to give you this good news.

riversident@Luke:1:20 @ And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that this comes to pass, because you have not believed my words, which will be fulfilled in their time."

riversident@Luke:1:21 @ The people were waiting for Zacharias and wondering at his staying so long in the Temple.

riversident@Luke:1:22 @ But when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the Temple. He kept making signs to them and remained dumb.

riversident@Luke:1:23 @ When the days of his priestly service were finished, he went away to his home.

riversident@Luke:1:24 @ After these days Elizabeth his wife conceived and hid herself five months, saying,

riversident@Luke:1:25 @ "So has the Lord done for me in the days in which he has looked upon me to take away my reproach among men."