53. He filled the hungry with good things, but he sent the rich away with nothing.
54. God has helped Israel—the people he chose to serve him. He did not forget his promise to give us his mercy.
55. He has done what he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”
56. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then went home.
57. When it was time for Elizabeth to give birth, she had a boy.
58. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord was very good to her, and they were happy for her.
59. When the baby was eight days old, they came to circumcise him. They wanted to name him Zechariah because this was his father’s name.
60. But his mother said, “No, he will be named John.”
61. The people said to Elizabeth, “But no one in your family has that name.”
62. Then they made signs to his father, “What would you like to name him?”
63. Zechariah asked for something to write on. Then he wrote, “His name is John.” Everyone was surprised.
64. Then Zechariah could talk again, and he began praising God.
65. And all their neighbors were afraid. In all the hill country of Judea, people continued talking about these things.
66. Everyone who heard about these things wondered about them. They thought, “What will this child be?” They could see that the Lord was with him.
67. Then Zechariah, John’s father, was filled with the Holy Spirit and told the people a message from God: