Acts 12
1 In that tyme Herode the kynge stretched forthe his handes to vexe certayne of the congregacion.
It was at that time that King Herod began to ill-treat some of the members of the Church.
2 And he kylled Iames the brother of Iohn with the swerde:
He had James, the brother of John, beheaded;
3 and because he sawe that it pleased ye Iewes he proceded forther and toke Peter also. Then were the dayes of swete breed.
and, when he saw that the Jews were pleased with this, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the Festival of the Unleavened Bread.)
4 And when he had caught him he put him in preson and delyvered him to. iiii. quaternios of soudiers to be kepte entendynge after ester to brynge him forth to the people.
After seizing Peter, Herod put him in prison, and entrusted him to the keeping of four Guards of four soldiers each, intending, after the Passover, to bring him up before the people.
5 Then was Peter kepte in preson. But prayer was made with out ceasynge of the congregacion vnto God for him.
So Peter was kept in prison, but meanwhile the prayers of the Church were being earnestly offered to God on his behalf.
6 And when Herode wolde have brought him oute vnto the people the same nyght slepte Peter bitwene two soudiers bounde with two chaynes and the kepers before the dore kepte the preson.
Just when Herod was intending to bring him before the people, on that very night Peter was asleep between two soldiers, chained to them both, while there were sentries in front of the door, guarding the prison.
7 And beholde the angell of ye Lorde was there present and a lyght shyned in the lodge. And smote Peter on the syde and steryd him vp sayinge: aryse vp quyckly. And his cheynes fell of fro his hondes.
Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. The angel struck Peter on the side, and roused him with the words: “Get up quickly.”
8 And the angell sayd vnto him: gyrde thy selfe and bynde on thy sandales. And so he dyd. And he sayde vnto him: cast thy mantle aboute the and folowe me.
The chains dropped from his wrists, and then the angel said: “Put on your girdle and sandals.” When Peter had done so, the angel added: “Throw your cloak round you and follow me.”
9 And he came oute and folowed him and wist not that it was truthe which was done by the angell but thought he had sene a vision.
Peter followed him out, not knowing that what was happening under the angel’s guidance was real, but thinking that he was seeing a vision.
10 When they were past ye fyrst and ye seconde watche they came vnto yt yron gate yt ledeth vnto the cyte which opened to them by his awne accorde. And they went out and passed thorowe one strete and by and by the angell departed fro him.
Passing the first Guard, and then the second, they came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them of itself; and, when they had passed through that, and had walked along one street, all at once the angel left him.
11 And when Peter was come to him selfe he sayde: now I knowe of a surety that the Lorde hath sent his angell and hath delyvered me out of the honde of Herode and from all the waytynge for of the people of ye Iewes.
Then Peter came to himself and said: “Now I know beyond all doubt that the Lord has sent his angel, and has rescued me from Herod’s hands and from all that the Jewish people have been expecting.”
12 And as he consydred the thinge he cam to ye housse of Mary the mother of one Iohn which was called Marke also where many were gaddered to gedder in prayer.
As soon as he realized what had happened, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also known as Mark, where a number of people were gathered together, praying.
13 As Peter knocked at the entry dore a damsell cam forth to herken named Rhoda.
On his knocking at the door in the gate, a maidservant, named Rhoda, came to answer it.
14 And when she knew Peters voyce she opened not the entrey for gladnes but ran in and told how Peter stode before the entrey.
She recognized Peter’s voice, but in her joy left the gate unopened, and ran in, and told them that Peter was standing outside.
15 And they sayde vnto her: thou arte mad. And she bare them doune yt it was even so. Then sayde they: it is his angell.
“You are mad!” they exclaimed. But, when she persisted that it was so, they said: “It must be his spirit!”
16 Peter cotynued knockinge. When they had opened the dore and sawe him they were astonyed.
Meanwhile Peter went on knocking, and, when they opened the gate and saw him, they were amazed.
17 And he beckened vnto them with ye honde to holde their peace and tolde them by what meanes ye Lorde had brought him oute of the preson. And sayde: goo shew these thinges vnto Iames and to the brethren. And he departed and went into a nother place.
Peter signed to them with his hand to be silent, and then told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison, adding: “Tell James and the Brethren all this.” Then he left the house, and went away to another place.
18 Assone as it was daye ther was no lyttell a doo amoge the soudyers what was becum of Peter.
In the morning there was a great stir among the soldiers — what could have become of Peter!
19 When Herode had called for him and founde him not he examined the kepers and comaunded to departe. And he descended from Iewry to Cesarea and ther abode.
And, when Herod had made further search for him and failed to find him, he closely questioned the Guard, and ordered them away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to stay at Caesarea.
20 Herode was displeased with them of Tyre and Sydon. And they came all at once and made intercession vnto Blastus the kynges chamberlen and desyred peace because their countrey was norysshed by the kynges londe.
It happened that Herod was deeply offended with the people of Tyre and Sidon, but they went in a body to him, and, having succeeded in winning over Blastus, the Chamberlain, they begged Herod for a reconciliation, because their country was dependent on the King’s for its food-supply.
21 And upon a daye appoynted Herode arayed him in royall apparell and set him in his seate and made an oraycon vnto them.
On an appointed day Herod, wearing his state-robes, seated himself on his throne, and delivered an oration.
22 And the people gave a shoute sayinge: it is ye voyce of a God and not of a man.
The people kept shouting: “It is the voice of God, and not of a man!”
23 And immediatly the angell of ye Lorde smote him because he gave not God the honoure and he was eatyn of wormes and gave vp the goost.
Instantly an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give God the glory; and he was attacked with worms, and died.
24 And ye worde of God grewe and multiplied.
Meanwhile the Lord’s Message kept extending, and spreading far and wide.
25 And Barnabas and Paul returned to Ierusalem when they had fulfilled their office and toke with them Iohn which was also called Marcus.
When Barnabas and Saul had carried out their mission, they returned to Jerusalem, and took with them John, who was also known as Mark.
