18. Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”
19. And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.
20. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
21. Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.
22. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute.
23. Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.
24. After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,
25. “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”
26. In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
27. to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
29. But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.