Acts 12
1 Now, about that time, Herod the king made cruel attacks on the Christians.
And at the same time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands, to afflict some of the church.
2 And he put James, the brother of John, to death with the sword.
And he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.
3 And when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he went on to take Peter in addition. This was at the time of the feast of unleavened bread.
And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take up Peter also. Now it was in the days of the Azymes.
4 And having taken him, he put him in prison, with four bands of armed men to keep watch over him; his purpose being to take him out to the people after the Passover.
And when he had apprehended him, he cast him into prison, delivering him to four files of soldiers to be kept, intending, after the pasch, to bring him forth to the people.
5 So Peter was kept in prison: but the church made strong prayer to God for him.
Peter therefore was kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing by the church unto God for him.
6 And when Herod was about to take him out, the same night Peter was sleeping in chains between two armed men, and the watchmen were keeping watch before the door of the prison.
And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
7 And a great light was seen shining in the room, and an angel of the Lord came to Peter and, touching him on his side so that he came out of his sleep, said, Get up quickly. And his chains came off his hands.
And behold an angel of the Lord stood by him: and a light shined in the room: and he striking Peter on the side, raised him up, saying: Arise quickly. And the chains fell off from his hands.
8 Then the angel said, Put on your shoes and get ready to go. And he did so. And he said, Put your coat round you and come with me.
And the angel said to him: Gird thyself, and put on thy sandals. And he did so. And he said to him: Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
9 And he went out after him; and he was not certain if what was done by the angel was a fact, for it seemed to him that he was seeing a vision.
And going out, he followed him, and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel: but thought he saw a vision.
10 And when they had gone past the first and second watchmen they came to the iron door into the town, which came open by itself: and they went out and down one street; and then the angel went away.
And passing through the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city, which of itself opened to them. And going out, they passed on through one street: and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 And when Peter came to his senses he said, Now, truly, I am certain that the Lord has sent his angel and taken me out of the hands of Herod, against all the hopes of the Jews.
And Peter coming to himself, said: Now I know in very deed, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
12 And when he became clear about this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John named Mark, where a number of them had come together for prayer.
And considering, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, who was surnamed Mark, where many were gathered together and praying.
13 And he gave a blow on the door, and a young girl came to it, named Rhoda.
And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, whose name was Rhode.
14 And hearing the voice of Peter, in her joy she went running, without opening the door, to say that Peter was outside.
And as soon as she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but running in she told that Peter stood before the gate.
15 And they said to her, You are off your head. But still she said, with decision, that it was so. And they said, It is his angel.
But they said to her: Thou art mad. But she affirmed that it was so. Then said they: It is his angel.
16 But Peter went on giving blows on the door: and when it was open and they saw him, they were full of wonder.
But Peter continued knocking. And when they had opened, they saw him, and were astonished.
17 But he made a sign to them with his hand to be quiet, and gave them an account of how the Lord had taken him out of prison. And he said, Give the news to James and the brothers. And then he went away.
But he beckoning to them with his hand to hold their peace, told how the Lord had brought him out of prison, and he said: Tell these things to James, and to the brethren. And going out, he went into another place.
18 Now when it was day, the armed men were greatly troubled about what had become of Peter.
Now when day was come, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
19 And Herod, when he sent for him, and he was not there, after questioning the watchmen, gave orders that they were to be put to death. Then he went down from Judaea to Caesarea for a time.
And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not; having examined the keepers, he commanded they should be put to death; and going down from Judea to Caesarea, he abode there.
20 Now he was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon: and they came to him, all together, and having made friends with Blastus, the controller of the king's house, they made a request for peace, because their country was dependent on the king's country for its food.
And he was angry with the Tyrians and the Sidonians. But they with one accord came to him, and having gained Blastus, who was the king’s chamberlain, they desired peace, because their countries were nourished by him.
21 And on the day which had been fixed, Herod, dressed in his robes and seated in his place, made a public statement to them.
And upon a day appointed, Herod being arrayed in kingly apparel, sat in the judgment seat, and made an oration to them.
22 And the people, with loud cries, said, It is the voice of a god, not of a man.
And the people made acclamation, saying: It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
23 And straight away the angel of the Lord sent a disease on him, because he did not give the glory to God: and his flesh was wasted away by worms, and so he came to his end.
And forthwith an angel of the Lord struck him, because he had not given the honour to God: and being eaten up by worms, he gave up the ghost.
24 But the word of the Lord went on increasing.
But the word of the Lord increased and multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul came back from Jerusalem, when their work was ended, taking with them John named Mark.
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled their ministry, taking with them John, who was surnamed Mark.
