Luke 1:8-20

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

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

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

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

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

¹³But 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:

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

¹⁵For 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.

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

¹⁷And 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.

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

¹⁹And 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.

²⁰And behold, thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be able to speak until the day wherein these things shall come to pass, because thou hast not believed my words, which shall be fulfilled in their time.