Luke 1:66-80

All who heard these things kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this little boy turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him [to bring about his birth]. Now Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him, and he prophesied, saying, “Blessed (praised, glorified) be the Lord, the God of Israel, Because He has visited us and brought redemption to His people, And He has raised up a horn of salvation [a mighty and valiant Savior] for us In the house of David His servant— Just as He promised by the mouth of His holy prophets from the most ancient times— Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; [Ps 106:10] To show mercy [as He promised] to our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant [the promised blessing], The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness [being set apart] and righteousness [being upright] before Him all our days. “And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD (the Messiah) TO PREPARE HIS WAYS; [Is 40:3; Mal 4:5] To give His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise (the Messiah) from on high will dawn and visit us, [Mal 4:2] TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet [in a straight line] into the way of peace and serenity.” [Is 9:2] The child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel [as John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah].