¶ Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands² to vex³ certain of the church.

And he killed James⁴ the brother of John with⁵ the sword.

And because he saw⁶ it pleased the Jews, he proceeded⁷ further to take Peter also. (Then⁸ were the days of unleavened bread.)

And when he had apprehended him, he put⁹ him in prison, and delivered¹⁰ him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending¹¹ after Easter¹² to bring him forth to the people.

¶ Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same¹⁴ night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound¹⁵ with two chains: and the¹⁶ keepers before the door kept the prison.

And, behold, the angel¹⁷ of the Lord came upon him, and a¹⁸ light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise¹⁹ up quickly. And his²⁰ chains fell off from his hands.

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.

And he went²¹ out, and followed him; and wist not²² that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

¶ When they were past the first²³ and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which²⁴ opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

And when Peter was come²⁵ to himself, he said, Now I know²⁶ of a surety, that the²⁷ Lord hath sent his angel, and hath²⁸ delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all²⁹ the expectation of the people of the Jews.

And when he had considered the thing, he came³⁰ to the house of Mary the mother of John³¹, whose surname was Mark; where³² many were gathered together praying.

And as Peter knocked³³ at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken³⁴, named Rhoda.

And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened³⁵ not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

And they said unto her, Thou³⁶ art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is³⁷ his angel.

But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

But he, beckoning³⁸ unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared³⁹ unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James⁴⁰, and to the brethren. And he⁴¹ departed, and went into another place.

Now as soon as it was day, there⁴² was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

And when Herod had sought for him⁴³, and found him not, he examined⁴⁴ the keepers, and commanded⁴⁵ that they should be put to death. And he went⁴⁶ down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

¶ And Herod was highly displeased⁴⁷ with them of Tyre and Sidon: but⁴⁸ they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain⁴⁹ their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.

And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

⁵⁰And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

And immediately the angel⁵¹ of the Lord smote him, because⁵² he gave not God the glory: and he⁵³ was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

⁵⁴But the word of God grew and multiplied.

And Barnabas⁵⁵ and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry⁵⁶, and took with them John⁵⁷, whose surname was Mark.