[5] There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. [6] And both righteous God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. [7] And they no child, because that Elisabeth barren, and they both now well stricken in years. [8] And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, [9] According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. [10] And the whole multitude of the people praying without at the time of incense. [11] And unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. [12] And when Zacharias him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. [13] But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for prayer is heard; and wife Elisabeth shall bear a son, and thou shalt call his name John. [14] And joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his [15] For great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink wine nor strong drink; 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 to the Lord their God. [17] And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, 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. [18] And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know for I am an old man, and wife well stricken in years. [19] And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto and glad tidings. [20] And, behold, shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that shall be performed, because thou believest not words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. [21] And the people for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. [22] And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he and remained speechless. [23] And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. [24] And after days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, [25] Thus the Lord dealt in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away reproach among men. [26] And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, [27] To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. [28] And came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with blessed art thou among women. [29] And him, she was troubled at saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this [30] And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. [31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. [32] He great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: [33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom no end. [34] Then said Mary unto the angel, How seeing I know not a man? [35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon and the power of the Highest shall overshadow therefore also that holy thing which shall be born shall be called the Son of God. [36] And, behold, cousin Elisabeth, she also conceived a son in her old age: and this the sixth month with her, who was called barren. [37] For with God nothing shall be impossible. [38] And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it according word. And the angel departed from her. [39] And Mary arose in days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; [40] And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. [41] And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: [42] And she spake out with a loud and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit womb. [43] And whence that the mother Lord should come to [44] For, lo, as soon as the voice salutation sounded in ears, the babe leaped in womb for joy. [45] And blessed is she that believed: for a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. [46] And Mary said, soul doth magnify the Lord, [47] And spirit hath rejoiced in God Saviour. [48] For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations blessed. [49] For he that is mighty hath done and holy is his name. [50] And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation [51] He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [52] He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. [53] He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich empty away. [54] He hath holpen his servant Israel, of his mercy; [55] As he spake to fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. [56] And Mary abode with her three months, and returned to her own house. [57] Now Elisabeth's time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. [58] And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon 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 Zacharias, after the name of his father. [60] And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. [61] And they said unto her, none kindred that is called name. [62] And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. [63] And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name John. And they marvelled all. [64] And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.