Lk 1:67-80

The Canticle of Zechariah. 67Then Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:

68^* “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,

for he has visited and brought redemption to his people.^k

69^* He has raised up a horn for our salvation

within the house of David his servant,^l

70even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old:

71salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,^m

72to show mercy to our fathersⁿ

and to be mindful of his holy covenant^o

73and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father,^p

and to grant us that, 74rescued from the hand of enemies,

without fear we might worship him 75in holiness and righteousness

before him all our days.^q

76And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High,

for you will go before the Lord^* to prepare his ways,^r

77to give his people knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins,

78because of the tender mercy of our God^s

by which the daybreak from on high^* will visit us^t

79to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow,

to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

80The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.^u