Luke 1:7-13

Living Bible

⁷ But they had no children, for Elizabeth was barren; and now they were both very old.

^8-9 One day as Zacharias was going about his work in the Temple—for his division was on duty that week—the honor fell to him by lot^[a] to enter the inner sanctuary and burn incense before the Lord. ¹⁰ Meanwhile, a great crowd stood outside in the Temple court, praying as they always did during that part of the service when the incense was being burned.

^11-12 Zacharias was in the sanctuary when suddenly an angel appeared, standing to the right of the altar of incense! Zacharias was startled and terrified.

¹³ But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias! For I have come to tell you that God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! And you are to name him John.