¹¹ Then an angel^(A) of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.^{(B) 12} When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.^{(C) 13} But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,^(D) Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.^{(E) 14} He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,^{(F) 15} for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,^(G) and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit^(H) even before he is born.^{(I) 16} He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he will go on before the Lord,^(J) in the spirit and power of Elijah,^(K) to turn the hearts of the parents to their children^(L) and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”^(M)

¹⁸ Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this?^(N) I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”^(O)

¹⁹ The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.^(P) I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.