Luke 1:5-14

International Standard Version

The Birth of John the Baptist is Foretold

⁵ During the reign^[a] of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶ Both of them were righteous before God, having lived blamelessly according to all of the commandments and regulations of the Lord. ⁷ They had no children because Elizabeth was barren and because both of them were getting old.^[b]

⁸ When Zechariah^[c] was serving with his division of priests in God’s presence, ⁹ he was chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense, according to the custom of the priests. ¹⁰ And the entire congregation of people was praying outside at the time when the incense was burned.

¹¹ An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the incense altar. ¹² When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear overwhelmed him. ¹³ But the angel told him, “Stop being afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. ¹⁴ You will have great joy,^[d] and many people will rejoice at his birth,