72. to show mercy towards our fathers,to remember his holy covenant,
73. the oath which he swore to Abraham, our father,
74. to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies,should serve him without fear,
75. In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.
76. And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High,for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
77. to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins,
78. because of the tender mercy of our God,whereby the dawn from on high will visit us,
79. to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death;to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80. The child was growing, and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.