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12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands
to vex certain 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 proceeded further
to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and
delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him;
intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made
without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
12:6 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.
12:7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light
shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and
raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell
off from his hands.
12:8 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.
12:9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was
true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
12:10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came
unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to
them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on
through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
12:11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a
surety, 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.
12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of
Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many
were gathered together praying.
12:13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to
hearken, named Rhoda.
12:14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for
gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the
gate.
12:15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly
affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
12:16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the
door, and saw him, they were astonished.
12:17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace,
declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the
prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to
the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
12:18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the
soldiers, what was become of Peter.
12:19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he
examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to
death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there
abode.
12:20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon:
but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus
the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because
their country was nourished by the king's country.
12:21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon
his throne, and made an oration unto 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 smote him, because he
gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up
the ghost.
12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had
fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose
surname was Mark.
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Everything King James Bible:Acts