The Vision of Zacharias: Text

The Vision of Zacharias

St Luke: Chapter 1

Zacharias and Elizabeth. J-J Tissot

[5] Fuit in diebus Herodis, regis Judaeae, sacerdos quidam nomine Zacharias de vice Abia, et uxor illius de filiabus Aaron, et nomen ejus Elisabeth.
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zachary, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth.

[6] Erant autem justi ambo ante Deum, incedentes in omnibus mandatis et justificationibus Domini sine querela.
And they were both just before God, walking in all the commandments and justifications of the Lord without blame.

[7] Et non erat illis filius, eo quod esset Elisabeth sterilis, et ambo processissent in diebus suis.
And they had no son, for that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.

[8] Factum est autem, cum sacerdotio fungeretur in ordine vicis suae ante Deum,
And it came to pass, when he executed the priestly function in the order of his course before God,

[9] secundum consuetudinem sacerdotii, sorte exiit ut incensum poneret, ingressus in templum Domini :
According to the custom of the priestly office, it was his lot to offer incense, going into the temple of the Lord.

[10] et omnis multitudo populi erat orans foris hora incensi.
And all the multitude of the people was praying without, at the hour of incense.

The vision of Zacharias. J-J Tissot

[11] Apparuit autem illi angelus Domini, stans a dextris altaris incensi.
And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

[12] Et Zacharias turbatus est videns, et timor irruit super eum.
And Zachary seeing him, was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

[13] Ait autem ad illum angelus : Ne timeas, Zacharia, quoniam exaudita est deprecatio tua : et uxor tua Elisabeth pariet tibi filium, et vocabis nomen ejus Joannem :
But the angel said to him: Fear not, Zachary, for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John:

[14] et erit gaudium tibi, et exsultatio, et multi in nativitate ejus gaudebunt :
And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice in his nativity.

St John the Baptist and the Pharisees. J-J Tissot

[15] erit enim magnus coram Domino : et vinum et siceram non bibet, et Spiritu Sancto replebitur adhuc ex utero matris suae :
For he shall be great before the Lord; and shall drink no wine nor strong drink: and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

[16] et multos filiorum Israel convertet ad Dominum Deum ipsorum 
 And he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

[17] et ipse praecedet ante illum in spiritu et virtute Eliae : ut convertat corda patrum in filios, et incredulos ad prudentiam justorum, parare Domino plebem perfectam.
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias; that he may turn the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the incredulous to the wisdom of the just, to prepare unto the Lord a perfect people.

[18] Et dixit Zacharias ad angelum : Unde hoc sciam? ego enim sum senex, et uxor mea processit in diebus suis.
And Zachary said to the angel: Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.

[19] Et respondens angelus dixit ei : Ego sum Gabriel, qui asto ante Deum : et missus sum loqui ad te, et haec tibi evangelizare.
And the angel answering, said to him: I am Gabriel, who stand before God: and am sent to speak to thee, and to bring thee these good tidings.

[20] Et ecce eris tacens, et non poteris loqui usque in diem quo haec fiant, pro eo quod non credidisti verbis meis, quae implebuntur in tempore suo.
And behold, thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be able to speak until the day wherein these things shall come to pass, because thou hast not believed my words, which shall be fulfilled in their time.

[21] Et erat plebs exspectans Zachariam : et mirabantur quod tardaret ipse in templo.
And the people were waiting for Zachary; and they wondered that he tarried so long in the temple.

[22] Egressus autem non poterat loqui ad illos, et cognoverunt quod visionem vidisset in templo. Et ipse erat innuens illis, et permansit mutus.
And when he came out, he could not speak to them: and they understood that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he made signs to them, and remained dumb.

[24] post hos autem dies concepit Elisabeth uxor ejus, et occultabat se mensibus quinque, dicens :
And after those days, Elizabeth his wife conceived, and hid herself five months, saying:

[25] Quia sic fecit mihi Dominus in diebus, quibus respexit auferre opprobrium meum inter homines.
Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he hath had regard to take away my reproach among men.

Totus tuus ego sum 
Et omnia mea tua sunt;
Tecum tutus semper sum:
Ad Jesum per Mariam