Luke 1:24-25,57-68,76,80 (Matins Gospel)
24 |
Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, |
25 |
Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people. |
57 |
Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. |
58 |
When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. |
59 |
So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. |
60 |
His mother answered and said, "No; he shall be called John." |
61 |
But they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." |
62 |
So they made signs to his father-what he would have him called. |
63 |
And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled. |
64 |
Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. |
65 |
Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. |
66 |
And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, "What kind of child will this be?" And the hand of the Lord was with him. |
67 |
Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: |
68 |
Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, |
76 |
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, |
80 |
So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel. |