Luke 1:67–79

Zechariah’s Prophecy

⁶⁷John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he spoke God’s message:

⁶⁸“Let us praise the Lord, the God of Israel!

He has come to the help of his people and has set them free.

⁶⁹He has provided for us a mighty Saviour,

a descendant of his servant David.

⁷⁰He promised through his holy prophets long ago

⁷¹that he would save us from our enemies,

from the power of all those who hate us.

⁷²He said he would show mercy to our ancestors

and remember his sacred covenant.

^73–74With a solemn oath to our ancestor Abraham

he promised to rescue us from our enemies

and allow us to serve him without fear,

⁷⁵so that we might be holy and righteous before him

all the days of our life.

^76*“You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God.

You will go ahead of the Lord

to prepare his road for him,

⁷⁷to tell his people that they will be saved

by having their sins forgiven.

⁷⁸Our God is merciful and tender.

He will cause the bright dawn of salvation to rise on us

^79*and to shine from heaven on all those who live in the dark shadow of death,

to guide our steps into the path of peace.”