1 But at this time king Herod reached forth his hands to persecute some of those from the church. 2 And he slew James the brother of John with a sword. 3 And seeing that it is pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also: and those were the days of the unleavened bread: 4 whom 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. 5 Then indeed Peter was kept in prison: but prayer to God in his behalf was incessantly made by the church.
6 But 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. 7 And, 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. 8 And 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. 9 And 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. 10 And 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.
11 And 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. 12 And recognizing his whereabouts, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John, called Mark; where many were assembled and praying. 13 And he knocking at the door of the gate, a damsel, by name Rhoda, came to hearken: 14 and recognizing the voice of Peter, from joy did not open the gate, but running in, she proclaimed that Peter stands before the gate.
15 And they said to her, You are gone mad; but she persisted that it was so. And they said, It is his angel. 16 But Peter remained knocking: and having opened, they saw him, and were astonished.
17 And 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.
18 And it being day, there was no small commotion among the soldiers, as to where Peter then was. 19 And 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.
20 And 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. 21 But on an appointed day, Herod, invested with his royal apparel, sitting on his tribunal, delivered a discourse to them: 22 and the people shouted, It is the voice of God and not of man. 23 And 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. 24 And the word of the Lord increased and multiplied. 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having filled their ministry, taking with them John, called Mark.