Acts 12
1 Now about that time, Herod the king stretched out his hands to oppress some of the congregation.
NOW at that time Herod the king stretched forth his hand to treat cruelly certain persons belonging to the church.
2 He killed Jacob, the brother of John, with the sword.
And he slew James the brother of John with a sword.
3 When he saw that it pleased the Jewish people, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the Days of Matzah.
And seeing how agreeable this was to the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
4 When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.
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.
5 Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the congregation to God for him.
So then Peter was kept in prison: but fervent prayer was offered up by the church to God for him.
6 The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.
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.
7 And look, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, "Stand up quickly." His chains fell off from his hands.
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.
8 The angel said to him, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." He did so. He said to him, "Put on your cloak, and follow me."
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.
9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.
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.
10 When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
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.
11 When Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting."
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.
12 Thinking about that, he came to the house of Miriam, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
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.
13 And when Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.
Peter then knocking at the door of the gatetway, there came a damsel to ask who was there, named Rhoda.
14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she did not open the gate for joy, but ran in, and reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate.
And well knowing Peter’s voice, she opened not the door for joy; but running in, told that Peter was standing before the door.
15 They said to her, "You are crazy." But she insisted that it was so. They said, "It is his angel."
But they said, Thou art raving. But she confidently persisted that it was so. Then they said, It is his angel.
16 But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed.
But Peter continued knocking: and they opened the door and saw him, and were astonished.
17 But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, "Tell these things to Jacob, and to the brothers." Then he departed, and went to another place.
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.
18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.
Now when the day broke, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what could possibly become of Peter.
19 When Herod had sought for him, and did not find him, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. He went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.
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.
20 Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus, the king's personal aide, their friend, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food.
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.
21 On an appointed day, Herod dressed himself in royal clothing, and sat on the throne, and gave a speech to them.
Then on a day appointed, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, and seated on his throne, made an harangue unto them.
22 But the crowd shouted, "The voice of a god, and not of a man."
And the populace shouted, It is the voice of a god, and not a man.
23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.
But instantly the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not the glory to God: and being devoured with worms, he expired.
24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
But the word of the Lord increased, and was widely diffused.
25 Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their service, also taking with them John whose surname was Mark.
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.
