(KJV) Acts 12¹

⥃James Killed, Peter Imprisoned

[1] Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth [his] hands² to vex³ certain of the church.⁴ [2] And he killed James⁵ the brother of John with⁶ the sword. [3] And because he saw⁷ it pleased the Jews, he proceeded⁸ further to take Peter also. (Then⁹ were the days of unleavened bread.) [4] And when he had apprehended him, he put¹⁰ [him] in prison, and delivered¹¹ [him] to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending¹² after Easter¹³ to bring him forth to the people.

⥃The Rescue of Peter

[5] Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing¹⁴ of the church unto God for him. [6] And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same¹⁵ night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound¹⁶ with two chains: and the¹⁷ keepers before the door kept the prison. [7] And, behold, the angel¹⁸ of the Lord came upon [him], and a¹⁹ light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise²⁰ up quickly. And his²¹ chains fell off from [his] hands. [8] And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. [9] And he went²² out, and followed him; and wist not²³ that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. [10] When they were past the first²⁴ and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which²⁵ opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. [11] And when Peter was come²⁶ to himself, he said, Now I know²⁷ of a surety, that the²⁸ Lord hath sent his angel, and hath²⁹ delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and [from] all³⁰ the expectation of the people of the Jews. [12] And when he had considered [the thing], he came³¹ to the house of Mary the mother of John³², whose surname was Mark; where³³ many were gathered together praying. [13] And as Peter knocked³⁴ at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken³⁵, named Rhoda. [14] And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened³⁶ not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. [15] And they said unto her, Thou³⁷ art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is³⁸ his angel. [16] But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened [the door], and saw him, they were astonished. [17] But he, beckoning³⁹ unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared⁴⁰ unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James⁴¹, and to the brethren. And he⁴² departed, and went into another place. [18] Now as soon as it was day, there⁴³ was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. [19] And when Herod had sought for him⁴⁴, and found him not, he examined⁴⁵ the keepers, and commanded⁴⁶ that [they] should be put to death. And he went⁴⁷ down from Judea to Cesarea, and [there] abode.

⥃The Death of Herod

[20] And Herod was highly displeased⁴⁸ with them of Tyre⁴⁹ and Sidon: but⁵⁰ they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain⁵¹ their friend, desired peace; because⁵² their country was nourished by the king’s [country]. [21] And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. [22] And the people gave a shout, [saying], [It is] the voice of a god, and not of a man.⁵³ [23] And immediately the angel⁵⁴ of the Lord smote him, because⁵⁵ he gave not God the glory: and he⁵⁶ was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

[24] But the word of God grew and multiplied.⁵⁷ [25] And Barnabas⁵⁸ and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled [their] ministry⁵⁹, and took⁶⁰ with them John⁶¹, whose surname was Mark.