Luke 1:18-25

18 Zachariah asked the angel, ‘How can I know this?  I am an old man and my wife is well on in years.’  19 The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel.  I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.  20 Now look!  Because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day these things happen!’

21 Meanwhile, the people were anxiously waiting for Zechariah, wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.  22 When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they realised that he had seen a vision in the temple sanctuary; he was making signs to them and remained speechless.  23 So when his time of service was completed, he returned home.

24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion; she said, 25 ‘The Lord has done this for me; He has shown favour to me right now, and taken away my disgrace among the people.’

translation by Paul H Ashby © 2009 all rights reserved