6. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
7. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.
8. Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God,
9. according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.
10. Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering,
11. the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense.
12. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.
13. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.
14. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15. for he will be great in the sight of [the] Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb,
16. and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
17. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”
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.