14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many people will rejoice at his birth,
15 for he will be great in the Lord’s eyes. He must not drink wine and liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth.
16 He will bring many Israelites back to the Lord their God.
17 He will go forth before the Lord, equipped with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and he will turn the disobedient to righteous patterns of thinking. He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? My wife and I are very old."
19 The angel replied, "I am Gabriel. I stand in God’s presence. I was sent to speak to you and to bring this good news to you.
20 Know this: What I have spoken will come true at the proper time. But because you didn’t believe, you will remain silent, unable to speak until the day when these things happen."