¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,^{(A) 15} and how from infancy^(B) you have known the Holy Scriptures,^(C) which are able to make you wise^(D) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed^(E) and is useful for teaching,^(F) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,^{(G) 17} so that the servant of God^[a](H) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.^(I)

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,^(J) and in view of his appearing^(K) and his kingdom, I give you this charge:^{(L) 2} Preach^(M) the word;^(N) be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke^(O) and encourage^(P)—with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.^(Q) Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.^{(R) 4} They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.^{(S) 5} But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,^(T) do the work of an evangelist,^(U) discharge all the duties of your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,^(V) and the time for my departure is near.^{(W) 7} I have fought the good fight,^(X) I have finished the race,^(Y) I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me^(Z) the crown of righteousness,^(AA) which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day^(AB)—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.^(AC)

Introduction^(A)

1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled^[a] among us, ² just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first^(B) were eyewitnesses^(C) and servants of the word.^{(D) 3} With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account^(E) for you, most excellent^(F) Theophilus,^{(G) 4} so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.^(H)

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

⁵ In the time of Herod king of Judea^(I) there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah;^(J) his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. ⁶ Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.^{(K) 7} But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

⁸ Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,^{(L) 9} he was chosen by lot,^(M) according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.^{(N) 10} And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.^(O)

¹¹ Then an angel^(P) of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.^{(Q) 12} When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.^{(R) 13} But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,^(S) Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.^{(T) 14} He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,^{(U) 15} for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,^(V) and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit^(W) even before he is born.^{(X) 16} He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he will go on before the Lord,^(Y) in the spirit and power of Elijah,^(Z) to turn the hearts of the parents to their children^(AA) and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”^(AB)

¹⁸ Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this?^(AC) I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”^(AD)

¹⁹ The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.^(AE) I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. ²⁰ And now you will be silent and not able to speak^(AF) until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

²¹ Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. ²² When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs^(AG) to them but remained unable to speak.

²³ When his time of service was completed, he returned home. ²⁴ After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. ²⁵ “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace^(AH) among the people.”