18 撒迦利亚对天使说，我凭着什么可知道这事呢？我已经老了，我的妻子也年纪老迈了。
Zechariah asked the angel, 'How can I be sure ofthis? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.'
19 天使回答说，我是站在神面前的加百列，奉差而来，对你说话，将这好信息报给你。
The angel answered, 'I am Gabriel. I stand inthe presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you thisgood news.
20 到了时候，这话必然应验。只因你不信，你必哑吧不能说话，直到这事成就的日子。
And now you will be silent and not able to speakuntil the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which willcome true at their proper time.'
21 百姓等候撒迦利亚，诧异他许久在殿里。
Meanwhile, the people were waiting forZechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.
22 及至他出来，不能和他们说话。他们就知道他在殿里见了异象。因为他直向他们打手式，竟成了哑吧。
When he came out, he could not speak to them.They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs tothem but remained unable to speak.
23 他供职的日子已满，就回家去了。
When his time of service was completed, hereturned home.
24 这些日子以后，他的妻子以利沙伯怀了孕，就隐藏了五个月，
After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnantand for five months remained in seclusion.
25 说，主在眷顾我的日子，这样看待我，要把我在人间的羞耻除掉。
'The Lord has done this for me,' she said. 'Inthese days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.'
