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.
14. Joy and gladness will come to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15. for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.
16. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.