52. He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.
53. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed.
54. He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy,
55. just as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever."
56. Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home.
57. When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a boy.
58. Her neighbors and relatives celebrated with her because they had heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy.
59. On the eighth day, it came time to circumcise the child. They wanted to name him Zechariah because that was his father’s name.
60. But his mother replied, "No, his name will be John."
61. They said to her, "None of your relatives have that name."
62. Then they began gesturing to his father to see what he wanted to call him.
63. After asking for a tablet, he surprised everyone by writing, "His name is John."
64. At that moment, Zechariah was able to speak again, and he began praising God.
65. All their neighbors were filled with awe, and everyone throughout the Judean highlands talked about what had happened.
66. All who heard about this considered it carefully. They said, "What then will this child be?" Indeed, the Lord’s power was with him.
67. John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,
68. "Bless the Lord God of Israel because he has come to help and has delivered his people.
69. He has raised up a mighty savior for us in his servant David’s house,
70. just as he said through the mouths of his holy prophets long ago.
71. He has brought salvation from our enemies and from the power of all those who hate us.