17. And he will go as forerunner before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.”
18. Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is old as well.”
19. The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
20. And now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will be silent, unable to speak, until the day these things take place.”
21. Now the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they began to wonder why he was delayed in the holy place.
22. When he came out, he was not able to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision in the holy place, because he was making signs to them and remained unable to speak.
23. When his time of service was over, he went to his home.
24. After some time his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she kept herself in seclusion. She said,
25. “This is what the Lord has done for me at the time when he has been gracious to me, to take away my disgrace among people.”