THE DEDICATION TO THEOPHILUS

1 Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilledA among us,a 2 just as the original eyewitnessesb and servants of the wordc handed them down to us. 3 So it also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorabled Theophilus,e 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.B,f

GABRIEL PREDICTS JOHN’S BIRTH

5 In the days of King Herodg of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s divisionh named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both were righteous in God’s sight,i living without blamej according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. 7 But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.k

8 When his division was on dutyl and he was serving as priest before God, 9 it happened that he was chosen by lot,m according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.n