Acts 12

Thomson^{(i) 1} Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to afflict some of the congregation, ² and slew with the sword James the brother of John. ³ And as he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to apprehend Peter also. ⁴ But as this was during the days of unleavened bread, when he had apprehended him he put him in prison, committing him to the custody of four quaternions of soldiers, intending to bring him out to the people after the passover. ⁵ So Peter was kept in prison; and there was earnest prayer to God made for him by the congregation. ⁶ And when Herod was about to bring him forth, on that very night, as Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, being bound with two chains; and the guards before the door were keeping watch, ⁷ behold an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared, and a light shone in the prison. And touching Peter's side he roused him up, saying, Arise quickly. Upon which his chains dropped from his hands. ⁸ Then the angel said to him, Gird thyself and put on thy sandals; and when he had done so, then he saith to him, Throw thy mantle around thee and follow me. ⁹ So going out, he followed him, but did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision. ¹⁰ And having passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them of its own accord. So, going out, they proceeded on through one street, and suddenly the angel left him. ¹¹ Then Peter coming to himself, said, Now I know certainly that the Lord hath sent his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the Jews. ¹² Then, upon recollection, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnamed Mark, where many were assembled and praying. ¹³ And when Peter knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant maid named Rhoda, went to inquire who was there. ¹⁴ But knowing Peter's voice, she, for joy, did not open the gate, but ran and told that Peter was at the gate. ¹⁵ Upon which they said to her, Thou art mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was certainly so: then they said, It is his angel. ¹⁶ As Peter continued knocking, they opened the gate, and upon seeing him, were extremely surprised. ¹⁷ But he having beckoned to them with his hand to be silent, related to them how the Lord had brought him out of prison, and said, Tell this to James and the brethren. Then departing, he went to another place. ¹⁸ Now as soon as it was day there was no small disturbance among the soldiers, What was become of Peter. ¹⁹ And Herod having caused search to be made for him, and not finding him, after examining the guards, he ordered them to be led away to execution. Then departing from Judea, he went down to Caesarea and resided there. ²⁰ Now Herod was meditating a war against the Tyrians and Sidonians; but they with one accord waited on him, and having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, they sued for peace, because their country was subsisted by that of the king. ²¹ And on a set day Herod arrayed in robes of state and seated on the throne, made a speech to them, ²² upon which the people shouted, It is the voice of a god and not of a man! ²³ And instantly an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory. And being gnawed by worms he died. ²⁴ Still the word of God increased and was multiplied; ²⁵ and Barnabas and Saul, having fully performed their service, had returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John who was surnamed Mark.