Luke 1:8-20

⁸While Zechariah was serving as a priest before God, on behalf of his priestly division,

⁹he was chosen by lot according to priestly custom to enter the Temple of the Lord and burn incense.

¹⁰During the time of offering incense a large crowd of people were praying outside.

¹¹An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing to the right of the altar of incense.

¹²When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and became terrified.

¹³But the angel told him, “Don't be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call him John.

¹⁴He will bring you joy and gladness, and many will celebrate his birth.

¹⁵He will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will refuse to drink wine or other alcoholic drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he's born.

¹⁶He will turn many Israelites back to the Lord their God.

¹⁷He will go ahead of the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the fathers back to thinking about their children, and to turn those who are rebellious back to a right understanding—to prepare a people ready for the Lord.”

¹⁸“How can I be sure about this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I'm an old man, and my wife is getting old too.”

¹⁹“I am Gabriel,” the angel replied. “I stand in God's presence, and I was sent to speak to you and give you this good news.

²⁰But since you didn't believe what I told you, you'll become dumb, unable to speak, until the appointed time when my words come true.”