Zacharias's Prophecy (The Benedictus)

67

His father Z'kharyah was filled with the Ruach HaKodesh and spoke this prophecy:

68

"Praised be ADONAI, the God of Isra'el, because he has visited and made a ransom to liberate his people

69

by raising up for us a mighty Deliverer who is a descendant of his servant David.

70

It is just as he has spoken through the mouth of the prophets from the very beginning --

71

that we should be delivered from our enemies and from the power of all who hate us.

72

"This has happened so that he might show the mercy promised to our fathers -- that he would remember his holy covenant,

73

the oath he swore before Avraham avinu

74

to grant us that we, freed from our enemies, would serve him without fear,

75

in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

76

You, child, will be called a prophet of Ha`Elyon; you will go before the Lord to prepare his way

77

by spreading the knowledge among his people that deliverance comes by having sins forgiven

78

through our God's most tender mercy, which causes the Sunrise to visit us from Heaven,

79

to shine on those in darkness, living in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the paths of peace."

80

The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he lived in the wilderness until the time came for him to appear in public to Isra'el.