(57)Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. (58)And her neighbors and her kindred heard that the Lord showed great mercy toward her; and they rejoiced with her. (59)And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zachariah, after the name of his father. (60)And his mother answered and said: Nay; but he shall be called John. (61)And they said to her: There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. (62)And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. (63)And asking for a writing-tablet, he wrote, saying: His name is John. And they all wondered. (64)And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue was loosed; and he spoke, blessing God. (65)And fear came on all that dwelt around them. And all these things[1:65] were told abroad in all the hill-country of Judaea. (66)And all who heard laid them up in their hearts, saying: What then will this child be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. (67)And Zachariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: (68)Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, that he visited and wrought redemption for his people; (69)and raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of David his servant, (70)(as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets of old,) (71)salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; (72)to show mercy to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; (73)the oath which he swore to Abraham our father, (74)to grant to us, that without fear, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, we should serve him, (75)in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. (76)And also thou, O child, shalt be called Prophet of the Highest; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways, (77)in order to give knowledge of salvation to his people in remission of their sins; (78)through the tender mercies of our God, whereby the dayspring from on high visited us, (79)to give light to those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, in order to guide our feet into the way of peace. (80)And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel. II.