Part 3

001:052 He has cast monarchs down from their thrones, And exalted men of low estate.

001:053 The hungry He has satisfied with choice gifts, But the rich He has sent empty-handed away.

001:054 His servant Israel He has helped, Remembering His compassion--

001:055 In fulfillment of His promises to our forefathers--For Abraham and his posterity for ever."

001:056 So Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned home.

001:057 Now when Elizabeth's full time was come, she gave birth to a son;

001:058 and her neighbours and relatives heard how the Lord had had great compassion on her; and they rejoiced with her.

001:059 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and were going to call him Zechariah, after his father.

001:060 His mother, however, said, "No, he is to be called John."

001:061 "There is not one of your family," they said, "who has that name."

001:062 They asked his father by signs what he wished him to be called.

001:063 So he asked for a writing-tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered.

001:064 Instantly his mouth and his tongue were set free, and he began to speak and bless God.

001:065 And all who lived round about them were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judaea reports of all these things were spread abroad.

001:066 All who heard the story treasured it in their memories. "What then will this child be?" they said. For the lord's hand was indeed with him.

001:067 And Zechariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke in a rapture of praise.

001:068 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel," he said, "Because He has not forgotten His people but has effected redemption for them,

001:069 And has raised up a mighty Deliverer for us In the house of David His servant--

001:070 As He has spoken from all time by the lips of His holy Prophets--

001:071 To deliver us from our foes and from the power of all who hate us.

001:072 He dealt pitifully with our forefathers, And remembered His holy covenant,

001:073 The oath which He swore to Abraham our forefather,

001:074 To grant us to be rescued from the power of our foes And so render worship to Him free from fear,

001:075 In piety and uprightness before Him all our days.

001:076 And you moreover, O child, shall be called Prophet of the Most High; For you shall go on in front before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,

001:077 To give to His People a knowledge of salvation In the forgiveness of their sins,

001:078 Through the tender compassion of our God, Through which the daybreak from on high will come to us,

001:079 Dawning on those who now dwell in the darkness and shadow of death-- To direct our feet into the path of peace."