55. Even as He promised to our forefathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. [Gen. 17:7; 18:18; 22:17; I Sam. 2:1-10; Mic. 7:20.]
56. And Mary remained with her [Elizabeth] for about three months and [then] returned to her [own] home.
57. Now the time that Elizabeth should be delivered came, and she gave birth to a son.
58. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy on her, and they rejoiced with her.
59. And it occurred that on the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were intending to call him Zachariah after his father, [Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3.]
60. But his mother answered, Not so! But he shall be called John.
61. And they said to her, None of your relatives is called by that name.
62. And they inquired with signs to his father [as to] what he wanted to have him called.
63. Then Zachariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, His name is John. And they were all astonished.
64. And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak, blessing and praising and thanking God.
65. And awe and reverential fear came on all their neighbors; and all these things were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea.
66. And all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, Whatever will this little boy be then? For the hand of the Lord was [so evidently] with him [protecting and aiding him].
67. Now Zachariah his father was filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,
68. Blessed (praised and extolled and thanked) be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come and brought deliverance and redemption to His people!
69. And He has raised up a Horn of salvation [a mighty and valiant Helper, the Author of salvation] for us in the house of David His servant–
70. This is as He promised by the mouth of His holy prophets from the most ancient times [in the memory of man]–
71. That we should have deliverance and be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who detest and pursue us with hatred;
72. To make true and show the mercy and compassion and kindness [promised] to our forefathers and to remember and carry out His holy covenant [to bless, which is all the more sacred because it is made by God Himself],
73. That covenant He sealed by oath to our forefather Abraham: