15. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb.
16. And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.
17. It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
18. Zacharias said to the angel, "How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years."
19. The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
20. And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."
21. The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple.
22. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute.
23. When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home.
24. After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying,