Acts 12
1 NOW at that time Herod the king stretched forth his hand to treat cruelly certain persons belonging to the church.
Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church so that he might mistreat them.
2 And he slew James the brother of John with a sword.
He killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3 And seeing how agreeable this was to the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
After he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. That was during the days of unleavened bread.
4 Whom having apprehended, he put him in prison, delivering him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep guard over him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people for execution.
After arresting him, he put him in prison, assigning him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him; he was intending to bring him to the people after the Passover.
5 So then Peter was kept in prison: but fervent prayer was offered up by the church to God for him.
So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer was made earnestly to God for him by those in the church.
6 Now when Herod was going to bring him forth, the same night was Peter fast asleep between the two soldiers, fastened to them with two chains: and the guards before the door kept the prison.
On the night before Herod was going to bring him out for trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison.
7 And, lo! an angel of the Lord stood there, and light glared through the apartment: then with a stroke on Peter’s side, he roused him up, and said, Arise quickly. And his chains fell from his hands.
Behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared by him, and a light shone in the prison cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him and said, “Get up quickly,” and his chains fell off his hands.
8 And the angel said to him, Gird thyself up, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he said unto him, Wrap thyself in thy mantle, and follow me.
The angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” Peter did so. The angel said to him, “Put on your outer garment and follow me.”
9 And going out, he followed him; and knew not that it was a reality which was done by the angel; but he supposed he saw a vision.
So Peter followed the angel and went out. He did not know that what was done by the angel was real. He thought he was seeing a vision.
10 So passing through the first ward and the second, they came to the iron door which leads into the city, which opened to them spontaneously: and being come out, they walked forward through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him.
After they had passed by the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate that led into the city; it opened for them by itself. They went out and went down a street, and the angel left him right away.
11 And Peter coming to himself, said, Now I know assuredly, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me from the hand of Herod, and all the eager expectation of the people of the Jews.
When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I truly know that the Lord has sent his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting.”
12 And after considering with himself, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, who is surnamed Mark; where many were thronged together, and praying.
When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.
13 Peter then knocking at the door of the gatetway, there came a damsel to ask who was there, named Rhoda.
When he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.
14 And well knowing Peter’s voice, she opened not the door for joy; but running in, told that Peter was standing before the door.
When she recognized Peter's voice, out of joy she failed to open the door; instead, she came running into the room; she reported that Peter was standing at the door.
15 But they said, Thou art raving. But she confidently persisted that it was so. Then they said, It is his angel.
So they said to her, “You are insane.” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.”
16 But Peter continued knocking: and they opened the door and saw him, and were astonished.
But Peter continued knocking, and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed.
17 Then beckoning with the hand that they should be silent, he informed them in what manner the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Tell James and the brethren these things. And departing thence he went into another place.
Peter motioned to them with his hand to be silent, and he told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. He said, “Report these things to James and the brothers.” Then he left and went to another place.
18 Now when the day broke, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what could possibly become of Peter.
Now when it became day, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers over what had happened to Peter.
19 And Herod sought him out earnestly, but not being able to find him, after having examined the guards strictly, he commanded them to be executed. And going down from Jerusalem to Caesarea, took up his abode there.
After Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he questioned the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.
20 Now Herod was fiercely bent on war against the Tyrians and Sidonians: but they presented themselves unanimously before him, and ingratiating themselves with Blastus who was over the king’s bedchamber, they begged for peace; because their country received all their supply of provisions from the king’s territories.
Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They went to him together. They persuaded Blastus, the king's assistant, to help them. Then they asked for peace, because their country received its food from the king's country.
21 Then on a day appointed, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, and seated on his throne, made an harangue unto them.
On a set day Herod dressed himself in royal clothing and sat on a throne; he made a speech to them.
22 And the populace shouted, It is the voice of a god, and not a man.
The people shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man!”
23 But instantly the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not the glory to God: and being devoured with worms, he expired.
Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give God the glory; he was eaten by worms and died.
24 But the word of the Lord increased, and was widely diffused.
But the word of God increased and multiplied.
25 Then Barnabas and Saul departed from Jerusalem, having completed the distribution of the sum entrusted with them; and they took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
So when Barnabas and Saul had completed their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, bringing with them John, also called Mark.
