(5)There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abiah: and his wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elisabeth. (6)And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (7)And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were far advanced in years. (8)And it came to pass, as he discharged his priestly office in the order of his periodical ministration before God, (9)according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to his lot to burn the incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. (10)And all the multitude of people was praying without, at the time of the burning the incense. (11)And an angel of the Lord appeared to him standing on the right side of the altar of incense. (12)And Zacharias was agitated greatly at the sight, and fear fell upon him. (13)But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bring thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. (14)And it shall give thee joy and exultation; and many shall rejoice at his birth: (15)for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord; and he shall never drink wine, nor any intoxicating liquor; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. (16)And many of the children of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord, their God. (17)And he shall go forth before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to convert the hearts of fathers with their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people ready for the Lord. (18)And Zacharias said to the angel, By what shall I know this? for I am old, and my wife far advanced in her age. (19)And the angel answering said to him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I have been sent to speak to thee, and to proclaim these glad tidings to thee. (20)And behold, thou shalt be dumb, and unable to speak, until that day when these things shall come to pass, because thou hast not believed my words, which shall be fulfilled at their exact time. (21)And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. (22)And when he came out, he could not speak to them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he himself made signs to them, and continued deaf and dumb. (23)And it came to pass, when the days of his ministry were fulfilled, he went to his own house. (24)And after those days Elisabeth his wife conceived, and kept herself in retirement five months, saying, (25)Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days in which he looked upon me to take away my reproach among men.