Luke 1:55-75

⁵⁵as he promised to our ancestors for Abraham and his descendants for ever.”

⁵⁶Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home.

⁵⁷When Elizabeth's time came, she gave birth to a son;

⁵⁸and her neighbours and relatives, hearing of the great goodness of the Lord to her, came to share her joy.

⁵⁹A week later they met to circumcise the child, and were about to call him Zechariah after his father,

⁶⁰when his mother spoke up, “No, he is to be called John.”

⁶¹“You have no relation of that name!” they exclaimed;

⁶²and they made signs to the child's father, to find out what he wished the child to be called.

⁶³Asking for a writing-tablet, he wrote the words — ‘His name is John.’ Everyone was surprised

⁶⁴and immediately Zechariah recovered his voice and the use of his tongue, and began to bless God.

⁶⁵All their neighbours were awe-struck at this, and throughout the hill-country of Judea the whole story was much talked about.

⁶⁶All who heard it kept it in mind, asking one another — “What can this child be destined to become?” For the Power of the Lord was with him.

⁶⁷Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, speaking under inspiration, said:

⁶⁸“Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, Who has visited his people and wrought their deliverance,

⁶⁹and has raised up for us the Strength of our salvation In the house of his servant David —

⁷⁰As he promised by the lips of his holy prophets of old —

⁷¹salvation from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us,

⁷²showing mercy to our ancestors, And mindful of his sacred covenant.

⁷³This was the oath which he swore to our ancestor Abraham —

⁷⁴That we should be rescued from the hands of our enemies,

⁷⁵and should serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness, In his presence all our days.