54. He has helped His servant Israel,mindful of His mercy,
55. just as He spoke to our ancestors,to Abraham and his descendants forever.
56. And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.
57. Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son.
58. Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her His great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59. When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father.
60. But his mother responded, “No! He will be called John.”
61. Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.”
62. So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called.
63. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote:HIS NAME IS JOHN.And they were all amazed.
64. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.
65. Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea.
66. All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become? ” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.
67. Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68. Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visitedand provided redemption for His people.
69. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
70. just as He spoke by the mouthof His holy prophets in ancient times;
71. salvation from our enemiesand from the clutches of those who hate us.