3. it has seemed good to me also, accurately acquainted from the origin with all things, to write to thee with method, most excellent Theophilus,
4. that thou mightest know the certainty of those things in which thou hast been instructed.
5. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest, by name Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth.
6. And they were both just before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7. And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
8. And it came to pass, as he fulfilled his priestly service before God in the order of his course,
9. it fell to him by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter into the temple of the Lord to burn incense.
10. And all the multitude of the people were praying without at the hour of incense.
11. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right of the altar of incense.
12. And Zacharias was troubled, seeing him, and fear fell upon him.
13. But the angel said to him, Fear not, Zacharias, because thy supplication has been heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14. And he shall be to thee joy and rejoicing, and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15. For he shall be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
16. And many of the sons of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn hearts of fathers to children, and disobedient ones to the thoughts of just men, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.