68 ‘ Praise the Lord God of Israel!
He has come to save his people.
He has come to make them free.
69 He has sent a very strong person to save us,
a descendant of God's servant, King David.
70 Long ago, God promised that he would do this.
He gave his own prophets this message to speak.
71 God promised to rescue us from our enemies.
He will save us from everyone who hates us.
72 He promised to be kind to our ancestors.
He will do the things that he promised in his holy covenant.
73 Yes, he will remember the strong promises that he spoke to Abraham.
74 God said, “I will keep you safe from your enemies.
Then you can serve me and not be afraid.
75 You can live in a way that is good and right.
You can do this all your lives.” ’
76 Zechariah then spoke to his son, John:
‘You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God.
You will go in front of the Lord to prepare a way for him.
77 You will tell God's people how God will save them.
God will forgive them for the wrong things that they have done.
78 Our God will do this because he is very kind.
He will send someone to us from heaven,
to be like the sunrise for us.
79 He will bring light to people who do not know God.
They are like people who are living in the dark.
They are afraid to die.
But the light will shine on them.
1:79In the Bible, when people do not know the truth about God, it is like they are living in a dark place. God gives light so that people know the truth.
God will show us how to live so that we have peace.’
