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Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us,
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just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us,
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it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,
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that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
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There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
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And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
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But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
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So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division,
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according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
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And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.
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Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
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And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
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But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.