Luke 1:5-17

5In the days of Herod [the Great], king of Judea, there was a certain priest whose name was Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron [the first high priest of Israel], and her name was Elizabeth.

6They both were righteous (approved) in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

7But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years.

8Now it happened while Zacharias was serving as priest before God in the appointed order of his priestly division,

9as was the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter [the sanctuary of] the temple of the Lord and burn incense [on the altar of incense].

10And all the congregation was praying outside [in the court of the temple] at the hour of the incense offering.

11And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.

12When Zacharias saw the angel, he was troubled and overcome with fear.

13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.

14You will have great joy and delight, and many will rejoice over his birth,

15for he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord; and will never drink wine or liquor, and he will be filled with and empowered to act by the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb.

16He will turn many of the sons of Israel back [from sin] to [love and serve] the Lord their God.

17It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord.”