James Killed, Peter Imprisoned

1But at this time king Herod reached forth his hands to persecute some of those from the church. 2And he slew James the brother of John with a sword. 3And seeing that it is pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also: and those were the days of the unleavened bread: 4whom having seized, he also put in prison, having committed him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; wishing to bring him out to the people after the passover.

The Rescue of Peter

5Then indeed Peter was kept in prison: but prayer to God in his behalf was incessantly made by the church.

6But when Herod was about to lead him forth, and Peter was sleeping that night between two soldiers, and bound with two chains; and the guards were keeping guard before the door. 7And, behold, the angel of the Lord stood over him, and a light shone in the house; and having touched the side of Peter, he raised him up, saying; Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8And the angel said to him, Gird thyself, and put on thy sandals. And he thus did. And he says to him, Throw thy cloak about thee, and follow me. 9And having come out, he was following; and did not know that it is true which was done by the angel; but he was thinking that he saw a vision. 10And having come through the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate leading into the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and having come out, they came on to the first street; and the angel immediately departed from him. 11And Peter coming to himself, said, Now I know truly, that the Lord sent his angel, and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, out of all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 12And recognizing his whereabouts, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John, called Mark; where many were assembled and praying. 13And he knocking at the door of the gate, a damsel, by name Rhoda, came to hearken: 14and recognizing the voice of Peter, from joy did not open the gate, but running in, she proclaimed that Peter stands before the gate. 15And they said to her, You are gone mad; but she persisted that it was so. And they said, It is his angel. 16But Peter remained knocking: and having opened, they saw him, and were astonished. 17And he, beckoning to them with his hand to keep silent, related how the Lord led him out from the prison: and said, Proclaim these things to James, and the brethren. And having gone out, he departed into another place.

18And it being day, there was no small commotion among the soldiers, as to where Peter then was. 19And Herod having sought him, and found him not, condemning the guards, commanded that they should be put to death; and having gone down from Judea to Caesarea, he tarried.

The Death of Herod

20And he was very angry with the Tyrians and Sidonians: and they unanimously came to him, and having persuaded Blastus who was over the chamber of the king, they continued to seek peace; because their country is supported by the kings. 21But on an appointed day, Herod, invested with his royal apparel, sitting on his tribunal, delivered a discourse to them: 22and the people shouted, It is the voice of God and not of man. 23And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not the glory to God; and being eaten by worms, he breathed out his soul.

24And the word of the Lord increased and multiplied.

25And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having filled their ministry, taking with them John, called Mark.