58. Her neighbours and relatives heard how wonderfully good the Lord had been to her, and they all rejoiced with her.
59. When the baby was a week old, they came to circumcise him, and they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father.
60. But his mother said, “No! His name is to be John.”
61. They said to her, “But you have no relatives with that name!”
62. Then they made signs to his father, asking him what name he would like the boy to have.
63. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” How surprised they all were!
64. At that moment Zechariah was able to speak again, and he started praising God.
65. The neighbours were all filled with fear, and the news about these things spread through all the hill country of Judea.
66. Everyone who heard of it thought about it and asked, “What is this child going to be?” For it was plain that the Lord's power was upon him.
67. John's father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he spoke God's message:
68. “Let us praise the Lord, the God of Israel!He has come to the help of his people and has set them free.
69. He has provided for us a mighty Saviour,a descendant of his servant David.
70. He promised through his holy prophets long ago
71. that he would save us from our enemies,from the power of all those who hate us.
72. He said he would show mercy to our ancestorsand remember his sacred covenant.
73-74. With a solemn oath to our ancestor Abrahamhe promised to rescue us from our enemiesand allow us to serve him without fear,