John himself will go ahead of the Lord and make people ready for his coming. He will be powerful like Elijah and will have the same spirit. He will make peace between fathers and their children. He will cause people who are not obeying God to change and start thinking the way they should.”

Zechariah Praises God

Then Zechariah, John’s father, was filled with the Holy Spirit and told the people a message from God:

Change your hearts! And show by your lives that you have changed. I know what you are about to say—‘but Abraham is our father!’ That means nothing. I tell you that God can make children for Abraham from these rocks!

That’s what all those people who don’t know God are always thinking about. But your Father knows that you need these things.

The son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against God and have done wrong to you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’