1. Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a narration of the things that have been accomplished among us;
2. According as they have delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word:
3. It seemed good to me also, having diligently attained to all things from the beginning, to write to thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4. That thou mayest know the verity of those words in which thou hast been instructed.
5. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zachary, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth.
6. And they were both just before God, walking in all the commandments and justifications of the Lord without blame.
7. And they had no son, for that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
8. And it came to pass, when he executed the priestly function in the order of his course before God,
9. According to the custom of the priestly office, it was his lot to offer incense, going into the temple of the Lord.
10. And all the multitude of the people was praying without, at the hour of incense.
11. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the alter of incense.