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.
72. He has dealt mercifully with our fathers and remembered His holy covenant —
73. the oath that He swore to our father Abraham. He has given us the privilege,
74. since we have been rescuedfrom our enemies’ clutches, to serve Him without fear
75. in holiness and righteousnessin His presence all our days.
76. And child, you will be calleda prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lordto prepare His ways,
77. to give His people knowledge of salvationthrough the forgiveness of their sins.
78. Because of our God’s merciful compassion,the Dawn from on high will visit us
79. to shine on those who live in darknessand the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.