From www.ebible.org with slight reformatting by Martin Ward. Book 42 Luke 001:001 Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, 001:002 even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, 001:003 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; 001:004 that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed. 001:005 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 001:006 They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. 001:007 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years. 001:008 Now it happened, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his division, 001:009 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 001:010 The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 001:011 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 001:012 Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 001:013 But the angel said to him, "Don't be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 001:014 You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth. 001:015 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 001:016 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God. 001:017 He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." 001:018 Zacharias said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years." 001:019 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. 001:020 Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn't believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." 001:021 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple.