³ It seemed good and desirable to me, [and so I have determined] also after ^[a]having searched out diligently and followed all things closely and traced accurately the course from the highest to the minutest detail from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,^(A)

⁴ [My purpose is] that you may know the full truth and understand with certainty and security against error the accounts (histories) and doctrines of the faith of which you have been informed and in which you have been ^[b]orally instructed.

⁵ In the days when Herod was king of Judea there was a certain priest whose name was Zachariah, ^[c]of the daily service (the division) of Abia; and his wife was also a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.