MKJV - Acts - 12

12:1  And at that time Herod the king threw on his hands to oppress some of those of the church.

12:2  And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

12:3  And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he went further to seize Peter also. (And they were days of Unleavened Bread.)

12:4  And capturing him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four sets of four soldiers to keep him; intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

12:5  Then, indeed, Peter was kept in prison. But earnest prayer was made to God for him by the church.

12:6  And when Herod was about to bring him out, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Also guards were keeping the prison before the door.

12:7  And behold! An angel of the Lord stood by, and a light shone in the building. And striking Peter's side, he raised him up, saying, Rise up quickly! And his chains fell off his hands.

12:8  And the angel said to him, Gird yourself and put on your sandals. And he did so. And he says to him, Throw your robe around you and follow me.

12:9  And he went out and followed him. And he did not know that this happening through the angel was true, but thought he saw a vision.

12:10  When they were past the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord. And they went out and passed on through one street. And immediately the angel departed from him.

12:11  And having come to himself, Peter said, Now I know surely that the Lord has sent His angel and has delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

12:12  And thinking about it, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose last name was Mark; where many had gathered together to pray.

12:13  And as Peter knocked at the door of the porch, a girl named Rhoda came to listen.

12:14  And when she knew Peter's voice, she did not open the porch because of gladness, but running in she reported Peter was standing before the porch.

12:15  And they said to her, You are mad. But she kept on saying that it was so. And they said, It is his angel.

12:16  But Peter continued knocking, and when they had opened and saw him, they were amazed.

12:17  But, waving to them with his hand to be quiet, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go tell these things to James and to the brothers. And he departed and went into another place.

12:18  And day coming, there was not a little stir among the soldiers, saying, What, then, became of Peter.

12:19  And searching for him, and not finding him, examining the guards, Herod commanded them to be led away to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed.

12:20  And Herod was in bitter hostility with the men of Tyre and Sidon. But they came to him with one accord and, having made Blastus (who had charge of the king's bedroom) their friend, desired peace, because their country was fed by the king's country.

12:21  And on a certain day, Herod sat on his throne, dressed in royal clothing, and made a speech to them.

12:22  And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god and not of a man!

12:23  And immediately the angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give God the glory. And he was eaten by worms and gave up the spirit.

12:24  But the Word of God grew and increased.

12:25  And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled the ministry, having taken with them John, whose last name was Mark.