Birth of John
57When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful Lord had done a wonderful thing for her and they rejoiced with her.
59When on the eighth day they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. 60But his mother said: 
—Not so; he shall be called John. 
61They said to her: 
—No one in your family has that name. 
62And they asked the father by means of signs for the name he wanted to give. 63Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote on it, ‘His name is John,’ and they were very surprised. 64Immediately Zechariah could speak again and his first words were in praise of God.
65A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the Hills of Judea the people talked about these events. 66All who heard of it pondered in their minds and wondered, ‘What will this child be?’ For they understood that the hand of the Lord was with him.
67Zechariah, filled with holy spirit, sang this canticle:
68—Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has come and redeemed his people. 
69He has raised up for us a victorious Savior 
in the house of David his servant,
70as he promised through his prophets of old,
71salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of our foes.
72He has shown mercy to our fathers 
and remembered his holy covenant, 
73the oath he swore to Abraham, our father,
74to deliver us from the enemy,
75that we might serve him fearlessly
as a holy and righteous people
all the days of our lives.
76And you, my child,
shall be called prophet of the Most High,
for you shall go before the Lord
to prepare the way for him
77and enable his people to know of their salvation
when he comes to forgive their sins.
78This is the work of the mercy of our God,
who comes from on high as a rising sun
79shining on those who live in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
and guiding our feet into the way of peace.
80As the child grew up, he was seen to be strong in the Spirit; he lived in the desert till the day when he appeared openly in Israel.

THE CONCISE BIBLE
Christian Community Bible 
Catholic Pastoral Edition

Copyright © 2002 by Claretian Publications
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Originally published by
Ediciones Mensajero, Spain