Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,
he has moved in and paid bond for his people,

and has hoisted a signal of salvation
in the house of David his steward

as he ruminated on in the mouths of saints
of ancient times, his prophets,

about salvation from our adversaries
from the clutches of all who hate us

about mercy performed for our fathers,
about remembrance of his holy covenant,

the oath pledged to Abraham our father
to make us fearless, dragged back from the clutches
of those who detest us

that we might labor for him, dutiful and just
before him all our days.


Now you, boy, will be named prophet of the Highest One
advancing thus before the Lord to clear his way,

giving knowledge of salvation to his people
by remittance of their sins,

through the deep compassion of our God
who pays us a visit, dawning from aloft,

to shine down upon those in darkness
and seated in the twilight of death,

to advance our steps on the road to peace.