1. Now many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
2. like the accounts passed on to us by those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning.
3. So it seemed good to me as well, because I have followed all things carefully from the beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
4. so that you may know for certain the things you were taught.
5. During the reign of Herod king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and he had a wife named Elizabeth, who was a descendant of Aaron.
6. They were both righteous in the sight of God, following all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
7. But they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both very old.
8. Now while Zechariah was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty,
9. he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the holy place of the Lord and burn incense.
10. Now the whole crowd of people were praying outside at the hour of the incense offering.
11. An angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense, appeared to him.
12. And Zechariah, visibly shaken when he saw the angel, was seized with fear.
13. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son; you will name him John.