Gabriel Predicts John’s Birth

⁵ In the days of King Herod^(A) of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division^(B) named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶ Both were righteous in God’s sight,^(C) living without blame^(D) according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. ⁷ But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.^(E)

⁸ When his division was on duty^(F) and he was serving as priest before God, ⁹ it happened that he was chosen by lot,^(G) according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.^{(H) 10} At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. ¹¹ An angel of the Lord^(I) appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.^{(J) 12} When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear.^{(K) 13} But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid,^(L) Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard.^(M) Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.^{(N) 14} There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. ¹⁵ For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer.^(O) He will be filled with the Holy Spirit^(P) while still in his mother’s womb.^{(Q) 16} He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.^{(R) 17} And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children,^(S) and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”^(T)

¹⁸ “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

¹⁹ The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel,^(U) who stands in the presence of God,^(V) and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. ²⁰ Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

²¹ Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. ²² When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them^(W) and remained speechless. ²³ When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.

²⁴ After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, ²⁵ “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace^(X) among the people.”

The Birth and Naming of John

⁵⁷ Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. ⁵⁸ Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her his great mercy,^(A) and they rejoiced with her.

⁵⁹ When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day,^(B) they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. ⁶⁰ But his mother responded, “No. He will be called John.”^(C)

⁶¹ Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” ⁶² So they motioned to his father^(D) to find out what he wanted him to be called. ⁶³ He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. ⁶⁴ Immediately his mouth was opened^(E) and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. ⁶⁵ Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. ⁶⁶ All who heard about him^(F) took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

⁹ On one occasion, Hannah got up after they ate and drank at Shiloh.^[a] The priest Eli was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s temple.^{(A) 10} Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears.^{(B) 11} Making a vow,^(C) she pleaded, “Lord of Armies, if you will take notice of your servant’s affliction,^(D) remember and not forget me, and give your servant a son, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut.”^[b](E)

¹² While she continued praying in the Lord’s presence, Eli watched her mouth. ¹³ Hannah was praying silently,^(F) and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk ¹⁴ and said to her, “How long are you going to be drunk?^(G) Get rid of your wine!”

¹⁵ “No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman with a broken heart. I haven’t had any wine or beer; I’ve been pouring out my heart before the Lord.^{(H) 16} Don’t think of me as a wicked woman;^(I) I’ve been praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment.”^(J)

¹⁷ Eli responded, “Go in peace,^(K) and may the God of Israel grant the request you’ve made of him.”^(L)

¹⁸ “May your servant find favor with you,”^(M) she replied. Then Hannah went on her way; she ate and no longer looked despondent.^[c](N)