|
The Parentage And Conception Of John The Baptist
1. THERE was in
the days of Herod, the King of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of
the course of Abia; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name
was Elisabeth.
2. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth
was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
3. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God
in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest's office,
his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple IOVA. And the whole
multitude of the people were praying without at the time of the offering of
incense.
4. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing over the altar
of incense. And when Zacharias saw, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard;
and thy wife Elisabeth, shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name
John.
5. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth;
for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall neither eat flesh
meats, nor drink strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit,
even from his mother's womb.
6. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God;
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts
of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just;
to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
7. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an
old man, and my wife is well stricken in years. And the angel answering said
unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak
unto thee, and to announce unto thee these glad tidings.
8. And, behold, thou art dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these
things shall be performed, then shall thy tongue be loosed that thou mayest
believe my words which shall be fulfilled in their season.
9. And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long
in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them; and they
perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he made signs unto them,
and remained speechless.
10. And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were
accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days, his wife
Elisabeth, conceived, and hid herself five months saying, Thus hath the Lord
dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach
among men.
|
|
|
