New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
57 When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son.
57
When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.
58 And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.
58
Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
59 When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father.
59
On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah,
60 But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”
60
but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”
61 “What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.”
61
They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”
62 So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him.
62
Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.
63 He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.”
63
He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”
64 Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.
64
Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.
65 Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills.
65
All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things.
66 Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.
66
Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
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Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.