15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

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15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,(A) and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit(B) even before he is born.(C) 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,(D) in the spirit and power of Elijah,(E) to turn the hearts of the parents to their children(F) and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”(G)

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

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.(J) 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(K) 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(L) to them but remained unable to speak.

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