8 Zechariah was serving as a priest before God for his group. It was his group’s time to serve.
9 According to the custom of the priests, he was chosen to go into the Temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10 There were a great many people outside praying at the time the incense was offered.
11 Then, on the right side of the incense table, an angel of the Lord came and stood before Zechariah.
12 When he saw the angel, Zechariah was confused and frightened.
13 But the angel said to him, “Zechariah, don’t be afraid. Your prayer has been heard by God. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give birth to a son. You will name him John.
14 You will be very happy. Many people will be happy because of his birth.