Luke:1:5-25
nsb@Luke:1:5 @ There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a priest named Zechariah. He was of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth.
nsb@Luke:1:6 @ They were both righteous before God. They blamelessly obeyed all the commandments and ordinances of God.
nsb@Luke:1:7 @ They had no child for Elizabeth was barren and they both were well advanced in years.
nsb@Luke:1:8 @ He faithfully executed the priests duties before God.
nsb@Luke:1:9 @ The custom was to draw lots to see who served in the temple. It was his turn to enter into the temple of God and burn incense.
nsb@Luke:1:10 @ The whole crowd of people prayed outside at the hour of incense.
nsb@Luke:1:11 @ Gods angel appeared to him when he was standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
nsb@Luke:1:12 @ Zechariah was troubled. When he saw the angel he was filled with fear.
nsb@Luke:1:13 @ »Have no fear Zechariah,« said the angel, »for God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elisabeth will have a son and his name will be John.
nsb@Luke:1:14 @ »You will be filled with joy, and many will be happy at his birth.
nsb@Luke:1:15 @ »He will be great in the eyes of God. He will not drink wine or strong drink and he will be full of Holy Spirit from the time of his birth.
nsb@Luke:1:16 @ »Great numbers of the children of Israel will return to Jehovah their God because of him. (1 Samuel strkjv@7:3)
nsb@Luke:1:17 @ »He will go before God in the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and wrongdoers to the way of righteousness. This will make ready a people whose hearts have been directed to Jehovah.« (Malachi strkjv@3:1)
nsb@Luke:1:18 @ Zechariah asked: »How might I be certain of this for my wife and I are old?«
nsb@Luke:1:19 @ The angel answered: »I am Gabriel, whose place is before God. I have been sent to give you this good news.
nsb@Luke:1:20 @ »You will be without voice or language till the day when these things happen. Your lack of faith in what I say has caused this.«
nsb@Luke:1:21 @ The people were waiting for Zechariah. They were surprised he was in the Temple for such a long time.
nsb@Luke:1:22 @ When he came out he could not speak to them. They realized he saw a vision in the temple. Instead of talking he made signs to them.
nsb@Luke:1:23 @ When the days of his priestly service ended he went home.
nsb@Luke:1:24 @ His wife Elisabeth became pregnant. She remained in seclusion for five months.
nsb@Luke:1:25 @ She said: »This is the way God has dealt with me by taking away my reproach among men.« (1 Samuel strkjv@1:11)
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