001:020 And now you will be dumb and unable to speak until the day when this has taken place; because you did not believe my words-- words which will be fulfilled at their appointed time." 001:021 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and were surprised that he stayed so long in the Sanctuary. 001:022 When, however, he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they knew that he must have seen a vision in the Sanctuary; but he kept making signs to them and continued dumb. 001:023 When his days of service were at an end, he went to his home; 001:024 and in course of time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and kept herself secluded five months. 001:025 "Thus has the Lord dealt with me," she said, "now that He has graciously taken away my reproach among men." 001:026 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 001:027 to a maiden betrothed to a man of the name of Joseph, a descendant of David. The maiden's name was Mary. 001:028 So Gabriel went into the house and said to her, "Joy be to you, favoured one! the Lord is with you." 001:029 She was greatly agitated at his words, and wondered what such a greeting meant. 001:030 But the angel said, "Do not be frightened, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 001:031 You will conceive in your womb and bear a son; and you are to call His name JESUS. 001:032 He will be great and He will be called `Son of the Most High.' And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His forefather David; 001:033 and He will be King over the House of Jacob for the Ages, and of His Kingdom there will be no end." 001:034 "How can this be," Mary replied, "seeing that I have no husband?" 001:035 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for this reason your holy offspring will be called `the Son of God.' 001:036 And see, your relative Elizabeth--she also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 001:037 For no promise from God will be impossible of fulfilment." 001:038 "I am the Lord's maidservant," Mary replied; "may it be with me in accordance with your words!" And then the angel left her. 001:039 Not long after this, Mary rose up and went in haste into the hill country to a town in Judah. 001:040 Here she came to the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth; 001:041 and as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the babe leapt within her. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 001:042 and uttered a loud cry of joy. "Blest among women are you," she said, "and the offspring of your body is blest! 001:043 But why is this honour done me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?