But the angel said to him, “Zechariah, don’t be afraid. Your prayer has been heard by God. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give birth to a baby boy. You must name him John.
This is the agreement that you will obey. This is the agreement between you and me. This is for all your descendants: Every boy that is born must be circumcised. [96]
God said, “No! I said that your wife Sarah will have a son. You will name him Isaac. [100] I will make my agreement with him. That agreement will be an agreement that continues forever with all his descendants. [101]
Isaac’s wife could not have children. So Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife. The Lord heard Isaac’s prayer. And the Lord allowed Rebekah to become pregnant.
Then the man in the vision started talking again. He said, ‘Daniel, don’t be afraid. From the very first day you decided to have wisdom and to be humble in front of God. He has been listening to your prayers. I came to you because you have been praying.
The Lord said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel. {\cf2\super [2]} Why? Because in a little while I will punish the family of Jehu for the blood \{he spilled\} at Jezreel Valley. {\cf2\super [3]} Then I will put an end to the kingdom of the nation {\cf2\super [4]} of Israel.
Then Gomer became pregnant again and gave birth to a daughter. \{The Lord\} said to Hosea, “Name her Lo-Ruhamah. {\cf2\super [5]} Why? Because I will not show mercy to the nation {\cf2\super [6]} of Israel any more. I will not forgive them.
But the man said, “Don’t be afraid. You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, the one that was killed on a cross. He has risen from death! He is not here. Look, here is the place they put him when he was dead.
When the baby was eight days old, he was circumcised, {\cf2\super [30]} and he was named Jesus. This name was given by the angel before the baby began to grow inside Mary.