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- Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us,
- just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,
- it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;
- so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
- In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
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- Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
- just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
- Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
- so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
- In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
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- They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
- But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
- Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,
- according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
- And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.
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- Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly.
- But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.
- Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
- he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
- And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
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- And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.
- Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him.
- But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.
- "You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
- "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.
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- Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
- When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.
- But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.
- He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,
- for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.
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- "And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.
- "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."
- 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."
- 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.
- "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."
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- Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God.
- And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
- Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."
- The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
- And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."
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- The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple.
- 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.
- When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home.
- After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying,
- "This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men."
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- Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.
- When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
- When his time of service was completed, he returned home.
- After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.
- "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."
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