Acts 12
1 Now, about that time, King Herod arrested certain members of the Church, in order to ill-treat them;
About that time Herod the king exerted his power to distress some of the church.
2 and James, John's brother, he beheaded.
And he cut off James, the brother of John, with the sword.
3 Finding that this gratified the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also; these being the days of Unleavened Bread.
And seeing that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to apprehend Peter also, (in the days of unleavened bread: )
4 He had him arrested and lodged in jail, handing him over to the care of sixteen soldiers; and intended after the Passover to bring him out again to the people.
whom he seized and put into prison, delivering him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending, after the passover, to bring him out to the people.
5 So Peter was kept in prison; but long and fervent prayer was offered to God by the Church on his behalf.
Peter was therefore kept in custody: but incessant prayer was made to God for him by the church.
6 Now when Herod was on the point of taking him out of prison, that very night Peter was asleep between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards were on duty outside the door.
And when Herod was about to bring him forth, that very night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the guards at the door watched the prison.
7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell; and, striking Peter on the side, he woke him and said, "Rise quickly." Instantly the chains dropped off his wrists.
And behold an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the room; and smiting Peter on the side, he waked him, and said, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
8 "Fasten your girdle," said the angel, "and tie on your sandals." He did so. Then the angel said, "Throw your cloak round you, and follow me."
And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself and tie on thy sandals: and he did so. And he saith unto him, Throw thy garment round thee, and follow me.
9 So Peter went out, following him, yet could not believe that what the angel was doing was real, but supposed that he saw a vision.
So he went out and followed him; and he did not know, that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.
10 And passing through the first ward and the second, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. This opened to them of itself; and, going out, they passed on through one of the streets, and then suddenly the angel left him.
And passing through the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate, that leadeth into the city, which of its own accord opened to them: and they went out and passed on through one street; and then the angel departed from him.
11 Peter coming to himself said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel and has rescued me from the power of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were anticipating."
And Peter being come to himself said, Now I know truly, that the Lord hath sent his angel and hath delivered me from the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
12 So, after thinking things over, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John surnamed Mark, where a large number of people were assembled, praying.
And considering with himself, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, who was sirnamed Mark, where many were gathered together and praying.
13 When he knocked at the wicket in the door, a maidservant named Rhoda came to answer the knock;
And when Peter knocked at the door of the porch, a servant named Rhoda came to ask who was there.
14 and recognizing Peter's voice, for very joy she did not open the door, but ran in and told them that Peter was standing there.
And knowing Peter's voice, through excess of joy she did not open the door, but ran in and told them, that Peter was standing at the door.
15 "You are mad," they said. But she strenuously maintained that it was true. "It is his guardian angel," they said.
And they said to her, Thou art mad: but she confidently affirmed that it was so. Then said they, It is his angel.
16 Meanwhile Peter went on knocking, until at last they opened the door and saw that it was really he, and were filled with amazement.
But Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door, they saw him, and were astonished.
17 But he motioned with his hand for silence, and then described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. "Tell all this to James and the brethren," he added. Then he left them, and went to another place.
But he made a sign to them with his hand to be silent, and related to them, how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go, tell these things to James and to the other brethren. And he departed and went to another place.
18 When morning came, there was no little commotion among the soldiers, as to what could possibly have become of Peter.
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
19 And when Herod had had him searched for and could not find him, after sharply questioning the guards he ordered them away to execution. He then went down from Judaea to Caesarea and remained there.
And Herod searching for him, and not finding him, brought the keepers to a trial, and ordered them to be executed. Then he went down from Judea to Cesarea, and abode there.
20 Now the people of Tyre and Sidon had incurred Herod's violent displeasure. So they sent a large deputation to wait on him; and having secured the good will of Blastus, his treasurer, they begged the king to be friendly with them again, because their country was dependent on his for its food supply.
And Herod was going to make war upon the Tyrians and Sidonians: but they came to him with one consent, and making interest with Blastus the king's chamberlain, they sued for peace; because their territory was supplied with provision by the king's country.
21 So, on an appointed day, Herod, having arrayed himself in royal robes, took his seat on the tribunal, and was haranguing them;
And upon a set day, Herod arrayed in his royal robes, and sitting upon his throne, made an oration to them.
22 and the assembled people kept shouting, "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man!"
And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man:
23 Instantly an angel of the Lord struck him, because he had not given the glory to God, and being eaten up by worms, he died.
but immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and being devoured by worms he died.
24 But God's Message prospered, and converts were multiplied.
But the word of God grew and was multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having discharged their mission, and they brought with them John, surnamed Mark.
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their charge, taking along with them John who was sirnamed Mark.
