18. Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man and my wife well advanced in years.”
19. The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. And I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
20. And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things happen, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their season.”
21. The people waited for Zechariah, and wondered why he waited so long in the temple.
22. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he made signs to them and remained speechless.
23. As soon as the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his own home.
24. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying,
25. “Thus the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”
26. In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27. to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
28. The angel came to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.”
29. When she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.
30. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31. Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son and shall call His name JESUS.
32. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,
33. and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. And of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34. Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”