5. Herod was king of Judea. During the time he was ruling, there was a priest named Zechariah. He belonged to a group of priests named after Abijah. His wife Elizabeth also came from the family line of Aaron.
6. Both of them did what was right in God's eyes. They obeyed all the Lord's commandments and rules faithfully.
7. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was not able to have any. And they were both very old.
8. One day Zechariah's group was on duty. He was serving as a priest in God's temple.
9. He happened to be chosen, in the usual way, to go into the temple of the Lord. There he was supposed to burn incense.
10. The time came for this to be done. All who had gathered to worship were praying outside.
11. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah. The angel was standing at the right side of the incense altar.
12. When Zechariah saw him, he was amazed and terrified.
13. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will have a child. It will be a boy, and you must name him John.
14. He will be a joy and delight to you. His birth will make many people very glad.
15. He will be important in the Lord's eyes. "He must never use wine or other such drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the time he is born.
16. He will bring many of Israel's people back to the Lord their God.
17. And he will prepare the way for the Lord. He will have the same spirit and power that Elijah had. He will teach parents how to love their children. He will also teach people who don't obey to be wise and do what is right. In this way, he will prepare a people who are ready for the Lord."
18. Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man, and my wife is old too."