The Birth of John the Baptist

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord (A)had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And (B)on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; (C)he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And (D)they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for (E)a writing tablet and wrote, (F)“His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 (G)And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue (H)loosed, and he spoke, (I)blessing God. 65 And (J)fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all (K)the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them (L)laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For (M)the hand of the Lord was with him.

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The Birth of John the Baptist

57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise(A) the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”(B)

61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

62 Then they made signs(C) to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”(D) 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak,(E) praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea(F) people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.(G)

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Daleth

25 (A)My soul clings to the dust;
    (B)give me life (C)according to your word!
26 When (D)I told of my ways, you answered me;
    (E)teach me your statutes!
27 (F)Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will (G)meditate on your wondrous works.
28 (H)My soul melts away for sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word!
29 Put false ways far from me
    and graciously (I)teach me your law!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I (J)set your rules before me.
31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
    (K)let me not be put to shame!
32 I will run in the way of your commandments
    when you (L)enlarge my heart![a]

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 119:32 Or for you set my heart free

ד Daleth

25 I am laid low in the dust;(A)
    preserve my life(B) according to your word.(C)
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
    teach me your decrees.(D)
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
    that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.(E)
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;(F)
    strengthen me(G) according to your word.(H)
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;(I)
    be gracious to me(J) and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen(K) the way of faithfulness;(L)
    I have set my heart(M) on your laws.
31 I hold fast(N) to your statutes, Lord;
    do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
    for you have broadened my understanding.

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