65. The neighbors were all filled with fear and wonder. All through Judea's hill country, people were talking about all these things.
66. Everyone who heard this wondered about it. And because the Lord was with John, they asked, "What is this child going to be?"
67. His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit. He prophesied,
68. "Give praise to the Lord, the God of Israel! He has come and set his people free.
69. He has acted with great power and has saved us. He did it for those who are from the family line of his servant David.
70. Long ago holy prophets said he would do it.
71. He has saved us from our enemies. We are rescued from all who hate us.
72. He has been kind to our people. He has remembered his holy covenant.
73. He made an oath to our father Abraham.
74. He promised to save us from our enemies, so that we could serve him without fear.