Luke 1:5-19

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

⁵ There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zachary, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth.

⁶ And they were both just before God, walking in all the commandments and justifications of the Lord without blame.

⁷ And they had no son, for that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.

⁸ And it came to pass, when he executed the priestly function in the order of his course before God,

⁹ According to the custom of the priestly office, it was his lot to offer incense, going into the temple of the Lord.

¹⁰ And all the multitude of the people was praying without, at the hour of incense.

¹¹ And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the alter of incense.

¹² And Zachary seeing him, was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

¹³ But the angel said to him: Fear not, Zachary, for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John:

¹⁴ And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice in his nativity.

¹⁵ For he shall be great before the Lord; and shall drink no wine nor strong drink: and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

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

¹⁷ And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias; that he may turn the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the incredulous to the wisdom of the just, to prepare unto the Lord a perfect people.

¹⁸ And Zachary said to the angel: Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.

¹⁹ And the angel answering, said to him: I am Gabriel, who stand before God: and am sent to speak to thee, and to bring thee these good tidings.