67 Then the boy’s father, Zacharias, became filled with the holy spirit and prophesied,

68 “Blessed is the master, the god of Israel,

because he visited us and made a way for his people to be freed from slavery.

69 He brought us a voice that would lead to our salvation,

us citizens of the nation of King David, his servant

70 (as he spoke via the mouths of his holy prophets through the ages).

71 He saved us from our enemies,

and from the power of all the ones hating us,

72 to show mercy to our ancestors

and to remind them of his holy agreement,

73 that he had promised Abraham, our ancestor, that he would give us.

74 He rescued us from the power of our enemies,

so we could serve him without fear,

75 committed to obeying him

for the rest of our lives.

76 [ref]And you too my little child, will be called a prophet of the highest one—

going before the master to prepare his paths,

77 to give knowledge about salvation to his people

so their sins can be forgiven

78 because God has compassion on us and mercy.

Thus the light from heaven will visit us

79 [ref]to shine on those in darkness and sitting in the shadow of death;

to guide us onto the road of peace.”

80 The young boy grew and his spirit was also strengthened, and he lived in the wilderness until he started his ministry to the people of Israel.