Common English Bible

Luke 1:8-17 Common English Bible (CEB)

8. One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God because his priestly division was on duty.

9. Following the customs of priestly service, he was chosen by lottery to go into the Lord’s sanctuary and burn incense.

10. All the people who gathered to worship were praying outside during this hour of incense offering.

11. An angel from the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.

12. When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and overcome with fear.

13. The angel said, "Don’t be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to your son and you must name him John.

14. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many people will rejoice at his birth,

15. for he will be great in the Lord’s eyes. He must not drink wine and liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth.

16. He will bring many Israelites back to the Lord their God.

17. He will go forth before the Lord, equipped with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and he will turn the disobedient to righteous patterns of thinking. He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord."