Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

1Give ear, ye islands, and hearken, ye people from afar. The Lord hath called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother he hath been mindful of my name. 2And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword: in the shadow of his hand he hath protected me, and hath made me as a chosen arrow: in his quiver he hath hidden me. 3And he said to me: Thou art my servant Israel, for in thee 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 saith the Lord, that formed me from the womb to be his servant, that I may bring back Jacob unto 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 thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to convert the dregs of Israel. Behold, I have given thee to be the light of the Gentiles, that thou mayst be my salvation even to the farthest part of the earth.

1Lord, thou hast proved me, and known me:

2Thou hast know my sitting down, and my rising up.

3Thou hast understood my thoughts afar off: my path and my line thou hast searched out.

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13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast protected me from my mother's womb.

14I will praise thee, for thou art fearfully magnified: wonderful are thy works, and my soul knoweth right well.

15My bone is not hidden from thee, which thou hast made in secret: and my substance in the lower parts of the earth.

22And when he had removed him, he raised them up David to be king: to whom giving testimony, 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 seed God according to his promise, hath 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 behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. 26Men, brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fear God, to you the word of this salvation is sent.

57Now Elizabeth's full time of being delivered was come, and she brought forth a son. 58And her neighbours and kinsfolks heard that the Lord had shewed his great mercy towards her, and they congratulated with her. 59And it came to pass, 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 thy 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 they that had heard them laid them up in their heart, saying: What an one, think ye, shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.

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