59. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
60. but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.”
61. But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”
62. So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
63. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed.
64. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.
65. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea.
66. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
67. Then Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:
68. “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,for he has visited and brought redemption to his people.
69. He has raised up a horn for our salvationwithin the house of David his servant,
70. even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old: