⁶⁷Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy: ⁶⁸“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,because he has visited and redeemed his people. ⁶⁹He has sent us a mighty Savior#1:69 Greek has raised up a horn of salvation for us.from the royal line of his servant David, ⁷⁰just as he promisedthrough his holy prophets long ago. ⁷¹Now we will be saved from our enemiesand from all who hate us. ⁷²He has been merciful to our ancestorsby remembering his sacred covenant— ⁷³the covenant he swore with an oathto our ancestor Abraham. ⁷⁴We have been rescued from our enemiesso we can serve God without fear, ⁷⁵in holiness and righteousnessfor as long as we live. ⁷⁶“And you, my little son,will be called the prophet of the Most High,because you will prepare the way for the Lord. ⁷⁷You will tell his people how to find salvationthrough forgiveness of their sins. ⁷⁸Because of God’s tender mercy,the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,#1:78 Or the Morning Light from Heaven is about to visit us. ⁷⁹to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,and to guide us to the path of peace.” ⁸⁰John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.