13. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son; you will name him John.
14. Joy and gladness will come to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15. for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.
16. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.
17. And he will go as forerunner before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.”
18. Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is old as well.”
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, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will be silent, unable to speak, until the day these things take place.”
21. Now the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they began to wonder why he was delayed in the holy place.
22. When he came out, he was not able to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision in the holy place, because he was making signs to them and remained unable to speak.
23. When his time of service was over, he went to his home.