Luke 1:1–17

The Dedication to Theophilus

1Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled ^aamong us, ^b2just as the original eyewitnesses ^cand servants of the word ^dhanded them down to us. ³It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable ^eTheophilus, ^f4so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed. ^gh

Gabriel Predicts John’s Birth

⁵In the days of King Herod ⁱof Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division ^jknamed Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶Both were righteous in God’s sight, ^lliving without blame ^maccording to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. ⁷But they had no children ⁿbecause Elizabeth could not conceive, ^oand both of them were well along in years. ^pq

⁸When his division was on duty ^rand he was serving as priest before God, ⁹it happened that he was chosen by lot, ^saccording to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. ^t10At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. ¹¹An angel of the Lord ^uappeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. ^v12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear. ^wx13But the angel said to him:

Do not be afraid, ^yZechariah,

because your prayer has been heard. ^z

Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,

and you will name him John. ^a

¹⁴There will be joy and delight for you,

and many will rejoice at his birth.

¹⁵For he will be great in the sight of the Lord

and will never drink wine or beer. ^b

He will be filled with the Holy Spirit ^c

while still in his mother’s womb. ^d

¹⁶He will turn many of the sons of Israel

to the Lord their God. ^e

¹⁷And he will go before Him

in the spirit and power of Elijah,

to turn the hearts of fathers

to their children, ^f

and the disobedient

to the understanding of the righteous,

to make ready for the Lord a prepared people. ^g