Rachel Workman: 5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 Once
when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he
was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the
temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for
the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
I wish
this could be said about me. Both of them were righteous in the eyes of the
God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly. Because of
Christ I am righteous. But I do not observe all the Lord's commands
blamelessly.
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John Burnett:
1 Many
have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2 just as they were handed down to
us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the
word.3 With
this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the
beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most
excellent Theophilus, 4 so
that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke
was about the truth, investigated all accounts thoroughly and of course was
divinely inspired by God through the Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit
that lives inside of every Christian.
5 In
the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who
belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a
descendant of Aaron. 6 Both
of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands
and decrees blamelessly. 7 But
they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were
both very old. It was definitely an honor for Zechariah and Elizabeth
to be considered righteous. He will reward their righteousness even
though they are thought to be old to bare children. Nothing is impossible
with God.
8 Once
when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before
God, 9 he
was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into
the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning
of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
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Tomorrow’s reading for Luke 1:11-17
11 Then an angel of the
Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
12 When Zechariah saw him, he
was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him:
“Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth
will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and
delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in
the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and
he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of
the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before
the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents
to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make
ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
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