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,^{(A) 9} he was chosen by lot,^(B) according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.^{(C) 10} And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.^(D)

¹¹ Then an angel^(E) of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.^{(F) 12} When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.^{(G) 13} But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,^(H) Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.^{(I) 14} He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,^{(J) 15} for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,^(K) and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit^(L) even before he is born.^{(M) 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,^(N) in the spirit and power of Elijah,^(O) to turn the hearts of the parents to their children^(P) and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”^(Q)

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

¹⁹ The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.^(T) 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^(U) until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”