2 Even as they delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eye-witnesses and ministers of the word;
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee, in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed.
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia; and his wife being of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth,
6 Were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless;
7 And they had no child. Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well stricken in years.
8 And while he executed the priest's office before God, in the order of his priesthood,
9 According to the law, (his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord,)
10 The whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 And when Zacharias saw the angel, he was troubled and fear fell upon him.
