1. Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us,
2. just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us.
3. It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus,
4. so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.
5. In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6. Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord.
7. But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.
8. When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
9. it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.