1. Since many have indeed taken in hand to set in order an account of the matters completely confirmed among us,
2. as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,
3. it seemed good to me as well, having followed up all these matters exactly from the beginning, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilos,
4. that you might know the certainty of the words which you were taught.
5. There was in the days of Herodes, the sovereign of Yehuḏah, a certain priest named Zeḵaryah, of the division of Aḇiyah. And his wife was of the daughters of Aharon, and her name was Elisheḇa.
6. And they were both righteous before Elohim, blamelessly walking in all the commands and righteousnesses of יהוה.
7. And they had no child, because Elisheḇa was barren, and both were advanced in years.
8. And it came to be, that while he was serving as priest before Elohim in the order of his division,