1Give ear, you islands, and hearken, you people from afar. The Lord has called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother he has been mindful of my name.

2And he has made my mouth like a sharp sword: in the shadow of his hand he has protected me, and has made me as a chosen arrow: in his quiver he has hidden me.

3And he said to me: You art my servant Israel, for in you will I glory.

4And I said: I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength without cause and in vain: therefore my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.

5And now says the Lord, that formed me from the womb to be his servant, that I may bring back Jacob to him, and Israel will not be gathered together: and I am glorified in the eyes of the Lord, and my God is made my strength.

6And he said: It is a small thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to convert the dregs of Israel. Look, I have given you to be the light of the Gentiles, that you mayst be my salvation even to the farthest part of the earth.

22And when he had removed him, he raised them up David to be king: to whom giving teaching, he said: I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man according to my own heart, who shall do all my wills.

23Of this man's offspring God according to his promise, has raised up to Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

24John first preaching, before his coming, the baptism of penance to all the people of Israel.

25And when John was fulfilling his course, he said: I am not he, whom you think me to be: but look, there comes one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

26Men, brothers and sisters, children of the stock of Abraham, and whoever among you fear God, to you the word of this salvation is sent.

57Now Elizabeth's full time of being rescued was come, and she brought forth a son.

58And her neighbours and kinsfolks heard that the Lord had showed his great mercy towards her, and they congratulated with her.

59And it happened, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they called him by his father's name Zachary.

60And his mother answering, said: Not so; but he shall be called John.

61And they said to her: There is none of your kindred that is called by this name.

62And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

63And demanding a writing table, he wrote, saying: John is his name. And they all wondered.

64And immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.

65And fear came upon all their neighbours; and all these things were noised abroad over all the hill country of Judea.

66And all those who had heard them laid them up in their heart, saying: What an one, think you, shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.

80And the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit; and was in the deserts until the day of his manifestation to Israel.