74 Bible Verses about Prisoners

But Samuel said: As your sword made women childless, so your mother will be made childless among women. Samuel cut Agag in pieces in the presence of Jehovah at Gilgal.

David made the people of Rabbah tear down the city walls with iron picks and axes. He also put them to work making bricks. He did the same thing with all the other Ammonite cities. David went back to Jerusalem. The people of Israel returned to their homes.

Jehovah also said: For the many transgressions of the children of Ammon I will not withdraw the punishment. They have ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead, that they may enlarge their border.

They put the sons of Zedekiah to death before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, chained him with iron bands and took him to Babylon.

He took the troops who were there and put them to work with saws, hoes, and axes. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. After that David and all the troops returned to Jerusalem.

As he spoke, Judas, one of the twelve, followed by a crowd carrying swords and spears, approached him. The chief priest and elders of the people had sent them. He that betrayed him gave them a sign. He told them: The one I kiss is he. Take him. He went directly to Jesus and said: Hail, Rabbi, and kissed him. read more.
Jesus told him: Do that for which you came. They laid hands on Jesus, and captured him. Look, one of them with Jesus stretched out his hand, drew his sword, and cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. Jesus told him: Put your sword in its place. Those who take up the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think I cannot ask my Father for help? He would send me more than twelve legions of angels. How then will the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way? That very hour Jesus said to the people, Have you come out to take me with swords and sticks as if I were a thief? You did not take me when I taught in the Temple daily. This has taken place so that the writings of the prophets will come true. Then all his disciples left him. Those who captured Jesus took him to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. The scribes and those in authority also gathered there. But Peter kept his distance. He followed him to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the servants, to see the outcome. The chief priests and all the Sanhedrin were looking for false witness against Jesus. They wanted to put him to death. They failed, even though a number of false witnesses came. Later two witnesses came. They said: This man said, 'I am able to destroy the Temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.' The high priest stood up and said to him: Have you no answer? What is it these say against you? Jesus said nothing. The high priest said to him: I put you on oath, by the living God, that you will tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said to him: You said it yourself. And I say to you, after this you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest ripped his robes apart and said: He has said evil against God! Why do we need more witnesses? You have heard his words of blasphemy! What is your opinion? The crowd answered: Put him to death! They spat in his face and hit him, saying: Prophesy to us, you Christ; tell us who hit you! Peter was seated in the square outside the house, and a servant-girl came to him. She said: You were with Jesus the Galilean. In front of everybody, he replied: I do not know what you are talking about. When he reached the gate, another saw him and said: This man was with Jesus the Nazarene. Again he denied with an oath: I have no knowledge of the man. A few moments later, those who were near approached and said to Peter: Indeed, you are one of them, because the way you speak gives you away. Then with curses and oaths he said: I do not know the man! And immediately a rooster crowed. Peter remembered what Jesus told him: Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times. He went out and wept bitterly.

Suddenly, as he spoke, Judas one of the twelve arrived. A great crowd with swords and spears were with him. They were from the chief priests, scribes and elders. He who betrayed him gave them a sign. He told them the one I kiss is the one to capture and take away safely. When he arrived he went straight to him and said: Master and kissed him. read more.
They grabbed him and took him away. One of those who were near took out his sword and gave the servant of the high priest a blow, cutting off his ear. Jesus said: Have you come out as against a thief with swords and sticks to take me? I was with you every day in the Temple teaching and you did not take me. This is done so that the scriptures will be fulfilled. They all left him, and fled. A young man followed him. He was wearing a linen cloth over his naked body. They tried to grab him. But they got a hold of the linen cloth and he fled naked. They led Jesus away to the high priest. The chief priests, elders and scribes came together with him. Peter followed him at a distance. He followed into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers staying warm by the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole council looked for witness against Jesus to put him to death. They found none. Many gave false witness against him. But their witness was not in agreement. One person falsely witnessed against him by saying: We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands. Even so their witness did not agree. The high priest stood in the middle of them, and said to Jesus: Do you not answer? What is it these say against you? But he kept quiet and said nothing. Again the high priest questioned him: Are you the Christ, the son of the Holy One? Jesus said: I am and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. Violently parting his robes, the high priest said: What need do we have for more witnesses? We have heard his words against God. What is your opinion? They all said he should be put to death. Some spit on him and covering his face they gave him blows. Guess who hit you, they said. The leaders took him and beat him with their hands. Peter was still in the courtyard when one of the High Priest's servant women came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said: You were with Jesus of Nazareth. He denied it. I do not know and I do not understand what you are talking about, he answered. He went out into the passageway. The servant woman saw him there and told bystanders, He is one of them! Peter denied it again. Later the bystanders accused Peter again saying: You cannot deny that you are one of them, because you, too, are from Galilee. Then Peter said: I swear I am telling the truth! May God punish me if I lie! I do not know the man you are talking about! Then a rooster crowed. Peter remembered what Jesus said: Before the rooster crows two times, you will deny me three times. He broke down and cried.

As he spoke a crowd followed Judas, one of the twelve. They came to him. Judas approached Jesus and kissed him. Jesus said to him: Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a kiss? Those near him saw what happened and asked: Lord shall we strike them with a sword? read more.
One of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. Jesus said: Do not do any more of this. Then he touched his ear and healed him. Jesus spoke to the chief priests, captains of the temple and elders who came against him: Did you come as you would against a robber with swords and clubs? I was with you every day in the temple. Yet you did not lift a hand against me. This is your hour for this power of darkness. They seized him and led him away. They took him to the high priest's house. Peter followed from a distance. They kindled a fire in the midst of the court. They sat down together. Peter sat in the midst of them. A servant girl saw him sitting by the light of the fire. She looked steadfastly upon him and said: This man was also with him. He denied it saying: Woman, I do not know him! After a little while another saw him, and said: You are one of them. Peter replied: Man I am not! Another hour passed. Someone else said: It is true this man was with him for he is a Galilean. Peter responded: I do not know what you are talking about! Immediately, while he spoke he heard the cockcrow. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he said to him: Before the cockcrow this day you will deny me three times. He left there and wept bitterly. The men that held Jesus mocked him and beat him. They blindfolded him, and asked him, saying: Prophesy: who is it that struck you? They reviled him and spoke many things against him. The next day the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together. They included chief priests and scribes. They led him away to their council, saying: If you are the Christ, tell us. But he said to them: If I tell you, you will not believe: and if I ask you, you will not answer. Soon the Son of man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God. They all asked: Are you the Son of God? He said to them: You say that I am. They responded: What further need do we have for witnesses? We have heard this from his mouth.

Judas brought a band of armed men and police from the chief priests and Pharisees there with lights and with weapons. Jesus knew what was about to happen to him. He asked: Whom do you seek? They answered him: Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus replied: I am he. Judas the betrayer was with them. read more.
When he said to them I am he they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked: Whom do you seek? And they said: Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered: I told you that I am he. If you seek me let these go their way. That way the word he spoke might be fulfilled; 'I lost none of those you gave me.' Simon Peter drew the sword he had, struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter: Put the sword in the sheath. Shall I drink the cup the Father has given me? The soldiers, the military commanders, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him. They led him to Annas first for he was father in law to Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Caiaphas was the man who gave counsel to the Jews that it was for their benefit that one man should die for the people. Simon Peter followed Jesus and so did another disciple. The high priest knew that disciple. He entered the court of the high priest with Jesus. Peter stood outside the door. The disciple known by the high priest went out and spoke to the woman who kept the door and he brought in Peter. The maid that kept the door asked Peter: Are you also one of this man's disciples? He said: I am not. It was cold. So the servants and officers warmed themselves by the fire. Peter also stood by the fire to get warm. The high priest asked Jesus about his disciples and about the things he taught. Jesus answered him: I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple where all the Jews gathered. I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask them that heard me what I spoke to them. They know the things I said. When he said this one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus with his hand, saying: You answer the high priest! Jesus answered him: If I spoke evil, bear witness of the evil. But if I spoke honestly, why do you strike me? Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Simon Peter stood nearby warming himself. They asked him: Are you also one of his disciples? He denied it saying: I am not. One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said: Did I see you in the garden with him? Peter denied it again. Then the cock crowed. They lead Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early and they did not enter directly into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. Pilate went to them and asked: What accusation do you make against this man? They answered: If this man were not an evildoer we would not deliver him to you. Pilate replied: Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law. The Jews said: It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. Thus the word of Jesus would be fulfilled when he spoke about the kind of death he would experience. Pilate entered again into the Praetorium. He called Jesus and asked him: Are you the King of the Jews? Jesus answered: You say this about me. Or did others tell you it concerning me? Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me! What have you done? Jesus answered: My kingdom is not of this world! If my kingdom were of this world my servants would fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews. My kingdom is not from this domain. Pilate said: Are you a king then? Jesus answered: As you say I am a king. I was born and came into the world for this purpose, that I should bear witness to the truth! Every one who is of the truth hears my voice. Pilate then asked: What is truth? After saying this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them: I find no fault in him. You have a custom that I release someone to you at the Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews? They cried out: Not this man, but Barabbas. Barabbas was a robber.

in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watching, in fasting;

After they were severely beaten, they threw them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safe.

That very hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds. Then he and all his family were baptized.

Wishing to please the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. Then he handed over Jesus. He was flogged and impaled.

He set Barabbas free. He had Jesus whipped. Then he commanded that he be put to death on the stake.

When her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. They took them to the magistrates and said: These men, being Jews, cause great trouble in our city. They offer customs that it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans. read more.
The crowd rose up against them. The magistrates ripped their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods. After they were severely beaten, they threw them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safe. Receiving this command he threw them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet in the stocks. Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God at midnight. The prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a massive earthquake. It was so great the foundations of the prison-house were shaken. All the doors were opened and everyone's bands came off. The jailor, who was roused out of sleep and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. Paul cried with a loud voice: Do not harm yourself for we are all here. The jailer called for lights. He rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He brought them out and asked: Sirs, what must I do to be saved? They said: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your house. They spoke the Word of God to him and those in his house. That very hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds. Then he and all his family were baptized. He took them to his house and fed them. They rejoiced along with his entire house, having believed in God. The next day the magistrates sent the officers saying: Let those men go. The jailor reported the words to Paul, saying: The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore go in peace. Paul said to them: They have beaten us publicly uncondemned, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison. Do they now throw us out privately? No I say, but let them come in person to bring us out. The officers reported these words to the magistrates. They feared when they heard that they were Romans. They personally came to them and brought them out. They asked them to go away from the city. They left the prison and entered the house of Lydia. When they saw the brothers they comforted them and then left.

When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple stirred up the entire crowd and laid hands on him. They shouted: Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place; and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and defiled this holy place. They had previously been with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the Temple. read more.
The entire city was aroused, and the people ran together from all directions. They laid hold on Paul and dragged him out of the Temple. Immediately the doors were shut. They were seeking to kill him when tidings came to the military commander of the band that all Jerusalem was in confusion. At once he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When they saw the military commander and the soldiers they quit beating Paul. Then the military commander came near and laid hold on him. He commanded that he be bound with two chains. He asked who he was and what he had done. Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another. The commander could not find out the facts because of the uproar so he commanded him to be brought into the barracks. Paul reached the steps. The violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. The mob followed closely and shouted: Away with him! And as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, Might I say something to you? He replied: Do you know Greek? Are you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand assassins into the desert? But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city and I request that you allow me to speak to the people. The commander gave permission so Paul stood on the stairs, motioned to the people. When there was silence he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying:

He used to release one prisoner at the feast. This was done by request.

He must release one prisoner to them at the feast.

You have a custom that I release someone to you at the Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?

It was a custom for the governor to set one prisoner free at the time of the feast. The people were to help choose that prisoner. At that time they held an important prisoner named Barabbas. When they assembled, Pilate asked: What is your choice? Barabbas or Jesus, the one called the Christ?

While in prison, John heard news of what Christ was doing. He sent his disciples.

For Herod captured John and locked him in prison for the sake of Herodias his wife. She was his brother Philip's wife before he married her.

Herod locked John in prison to please Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. For John had said to him: It is not lawful for you to have her. Herod wanted to put him to death but he feared the people since they believed John was a prophet. read more.
It was Herod's birthday. The daughter of Herodias danced for him and pleased him. So he promised with an oath to give her anything she wanted. Prompted by her mother, she said: Give me John the Baptist's head on a platter. The king was grieved. He gave his oath and many were watching so he commanded that it be done. He gave the order to behead John in prison. His head was brought on a platter to the young lady. She in turn gave it to her mother. John the Baptist's disciples took the corpse and buried him, and then came and told Jesus.

He added this also to them all. He locked up John in prison.

For Jehovah hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.

He executes justice for the oppressed. He gives food to the hungry. Jehovah sets the prisoners free.

Let the groans of prisoners come into your presence. With your powerful arm (according to the greatness of your power) rescue those who are condemned to death.

He looked down from his holy height. Jehovah gazed upon the earth from heaven. He heard the groaning of the prisoner, to set free those who were doomed to death.

Agrippa said to Paul, You are permitted to speak for yourself. Then Paul stretched out his arm and began his defense,

At first no one defended me. They all abandoned me. May it not be counted against them.

I told them it is not the Roman practice to deliver any man to die before his accusers face him. He should answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

The governor motioned for Paul to speak. He said, I know that you have been a judge for this nation for many years. For this reason I cheerfully make my defense.

Paul defended himself: Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I committed any sin.

He immediately goes after her. He is like a bull that goes to the slaughter. Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,

Jehovah made you priest instead of Jehoiada so that there would be officials for Jehovah's temple. You should put every madman who acts like a prophet in prison and in shackles.

Receiving this command he threw them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet in the stocks.

and threw Joseph in the same prison where the king's prisoners were kept. While Joseph was in prison, Jehovah helped him and was good to him. He even made the jailer like Joseph so much that he put him in charge of the other prisoners and of everything that was done in the jail. read more.
The jailer did not worry about anything, because Jehovah was with Joseph and made him successful in all that he did.

Two years later Pharaoh had a dream. He dreamed he was standing by the Nile River. Suddenly, seven nice-looking well-fed cows came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds. Seven other cows came up from the river behind them. These cows were sickly and skinny. They stood behind the first seven cows on the riverbank. read more.
The cows that were sickly and skinny ate the seven nice-looking well-fed cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. He fell asleep again and had another dream. Seven heads of grain, full and ripe, were growing on one stalk. Then seven other heads of grain sprouted thin and scorched by the desert wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed the full ones. The king woke up and realized that he had been dreaming. The king was upset the next morning. So he called his magicians and wise men and told them what he had dreamed. None of them could tell him what the dreams meant. The king's chief cupbearer said: Now I remember what I was supposed to do. When you were angry with your chief cook and me, you threw us both in jail in the house of the captain of the guard. One night we both had dreams. Each dream had a different meaning. A young Hebrew, who was a servant of the captain of the guard, was there with us at the time. When we told him our dreams, he explained what each of them meant. Everything happened just as he said it would. I got my job back, and the cook was put to death. So the king sent for Joseph. He was quickly brought out of jail. He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to the king. The king said: I had a dream. No one can explain what it means. I am told that you can interpret dreams. Joseph then answered Pharaoh: I cannot do it myself, but God can give the meaning of your dreams. The king told Joseph: I dreamed as I stood on the bank of the Nile River, I saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river. They began feeding on the grass. Next, seven skinny, bony cows came up out of the river. I have never seen such terrible looking cows anywhere in Egypt. The skinny cows ate the fat ones! Even though they had eaten the fat cows, no one could tell they had eaten them. They looked just as sick as before. Then I woke up. In my second dream I saw seven good, full heads of grain growing on a single stalk. Seven other heads of grain, withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind, sprouted behind them. The thin heads of grain swallowed the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but no one could tell me what it meant. Joseph said to Pharaoh: Pharaoh had the same dream twice. God has told Pharaoh what he is going to do. The seven good cows are seven years. The seven good heads of grain are seven years. It is all the same dream. The seven thin, sickly cows that came up behind them are seven years. The seven empty heads of grain scorched by the east wind are also seven years. Seven years of famine are coming! It is just as I said to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what he is going to do. Seven years are coming when there will be plenty of food in Egypt. Seven years of famine will follow. Then people will forget that there was plenty of food in Egypt. The famine will ruin the land. People will not remember that there was once plenty of food in the land, because the coming famine will be so severe. The reason Pharaoh has had a recurring dream is because the matter has been definitely decided by God. He will do it very soon. Pharaoh should look for a wise and intelligent man and put him in charge of Egypt. Make arrangements to appoint supervisors over the land. Take a fifth of Egypt's harvest during the seven good years. Have them collect all the food during these good years. Store up grain under Pharaoh's control, to be kept for food in the cities. This food will be a reserve supply for our country during the seven years of famine that will happen in Egypt. Then the land will not be ruined by the famine. The king and his officials approved this plan, and he said to them: We will never find a better man than Joseph. He is a man who has God's Spirit in him. The king said to Joseph: God has shown you all this. Therefore it is obvious that you have greater wisdom and insight than anyone else. I will put you in charge of my country. All my people will obey your orders. Your authority will be second only to mine. I now appoint you governor over all Egypt. Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand. He clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. He had him ride in his second chariot. They proclaimed before him: Bow the knee! Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph: Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

When it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and other prisoners to a man named Julius, a centurion of the band of Augustus.

When we arrived at Rome they allowed Paul to have a house for himself and the armed man who kept watch over him.

The next day we landed at Sidon. Julius treated Paul in a kind way and gave him liberty to go to his friends to refresh himself.

Paul rented a place to live for two full years and welcomed everyone who came to him. He spread the message about God's Kingdom and taught boldly about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one stopped him!

So they took me and let me down by ropes into Prince Malchiah's well, which was in the palace courtyard. There was no water in the well, only mud, and I sank down in it.

They sentence my life to prison and keep hurling stones at me. Waters were flowing over my head; I said: I am cut off.

had me brought from the palace courtyard. They put me under the care of Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, who was to see that I got home safely. Thus I stayed there among the people.

So they took me and let me down by ropes into Prince Malchiah's well, which was in the palace courtyard. There was no water in the well, only mud, and I sank down in it. Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, a eunuch (officer) who worked in the royal palace, heard that they had put me in the well. At that time the king was holding court at the Benjamin Gate. So Ebedmelech went there and said to the king: read more.
Your Majesty, what these men have done is wrong. They have put Jeremiah in the well, where he is sure to die of starvation, since there is no more food in the city. Then the king ordered Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, Take with you three men and to pull him out of the well before he dies. So Ebedmelech went with the men to the palace storeroom and got some worn-out clothing which he let down to me by ropes. He told me to put the rags under my arms, so that the ropes would not hurt me. I did this. So they pulled me up out of the well. After that I was kept in the courtyard. On another occasion King Zedekiah had me brought to him at the third entrance to the temple. He said: I am going to ask you a question, and I want you to tell me the whole truth. I answered: If I tell you the truth, you will put me to death, and if I give you advice, you will not pay any attention. So King Zedekiah promised me in secret: I swear by the living God, the God who gave us life, that I will not put you to death or hand you over to the men who want to kill you. Then I told Zedekiah that Jehovah, the God of Israel said: If you surrender to the king of Babylon's officers, your life will be spared, and this city will not be burned down. Both you and your family will be spared. But if you do not surrender, then this city will be handed over to the Babylonians. They will burn it down, and you will not escape from them. The king answered: I am afraid of our own people who have deserted to the Babylonians. I may be handed over to them and tortured. I said: You will not be handed over to them. I beg you to obey Jehovah's message. Then all will go well with you, and your life will be spared. Jehovah has shown me in a vision what will happen if you refuse to surrender. In it I saw all the women left in Judah's royal palace being led out to the king of Babylonia's officers. Listen to what they were saying as they went. The king's best friends misled him, they overruled him. And now that his feet have sunk in the mud, his friends have left him. Then I added: All your women and children will be taken out to the Babylonians. You will not escape from them. You will be taken prisoner by the king of Babylonia. And this city will be burned to the ground. Zedekiah replied: Do not let anyone know about this conversation, and your life will not be in danger. If the officials hear that I have talked with you, they will come and ask you what we said. They will promise not to put you to death if you tell them everything. Just tell them you were begging me not to send you back to prison to die there. Then all the officials came and questioned me. I told them exactly what the king had told me to say. There was nothing else they could do, because no one had overheard the conversation. I was kept in the palace courtyard until the day Jerusalem was captured.

He commanded a centurion to keep Paul. Allow him some freedom of custody and that some of his people should come and minister to him.

While in prison, John heard news of what Christ was doing. He sent his disciples.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah is upon me, because Jehovah has anointed me to announce good news to the lowly and meek. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.

The Spirit of Jehovah is upon me. He anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind. To set at liberty those who are bruised.

Your Majesty, please listen, and accept my plea for mercy. Do not return me to the scribe Jonathan's house, or I will die there. King Zedekiah gave the command to have Jeremiah put in the courtyard of the prison. He gave him a loaf of bread every day from the bakers' street until all the bread in the city was gone. So Jeremiah stayed in the courtyard of the prison.

Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, a eunuch (officer) who worked in the royal palace, heard that they had put me in the well. At that time the king was holding court at the Benjamin Gate. So Ebedmelech went there and said to the king: Your Majesty, what these men have done is wrong. They have put Jeremiah in the well, where he is sure to die of starvation, since there is no more food in the city. read more.
Then the king ordered Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, Take with you three men and to pull him out of the well before he dies. So Ebedmelech went with the men to the palace storeroom and got some worn-out clothing which he let down to me by ropes. He told me to put the rags under my arms, so that the ropes would not hurt me. I did this. So they pulled me up out of the well. After that I was kept in the courtyard. On another occasion King Zedekiah had me brought to him at the third entrance to the temple. He said: I am going to ask you a question, and I want you to tell me the whole truth. I answered: If I tell you the truth, you will put me to death, and if I give you advice, you will not pay any attention. So King Zedekiah promised me in secret: I swear by the living God, the God who gave us life, that I will not put you to death or hand you over to the men who want to kill you. Then I told Zedekiah that Jehovah, the God of Israel said: If you surrender to the king of Babylon's officers, your life will be spared, and this city will not be burned down. Both you and your family will be spared. But if you do not surrender, then this city will be handed over to the Babylonians. They will burn it down, and you will not escape from them. The king answered: I am afraid of our own people who have deserted to the Babylonians. I may be handed over to them and tortured. I said: You will not be handed over to them. I beg you to obey Jehovah's message. Then all will go well with you, and your life will be spared. Jehovah has shown me in a vision what will happen if you refuse to surrender. In it I saw all the women left in Judah's royal palace being led out to the king of Babylonia's officers. Listen to what they were saying as they went. The king's best friends misled him, they overruled him. And now that his feet have sunk in the mud, his friends have left him. Then I added: All your women and children will be taken out to the Babylonians. You will not escape from them. You will be taken prisoner by the king of Babylonia. And this city will be burned to the ground. Zedekiah replied: Do not let anyone know about this conversation, and your life will not be in danger. If the officials hear that I have talked with you, they will come and ask you what we said. They will promise not to put you to death if you tell them everything. Just tell them you were begging me not to send you back to prison to die there. Then all the officials came and questioned me. I told them exactly what the king had told me to say. There was nothing else they could do, because no one had overheard the conversation. I was kept in the palace courtyard until the day Jerusalem was captured.

I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.' The righteous will answer him: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? read more.
When did we see you as a stranger and take you in, or naked and dress you? When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?' The King will answer: 'To the extent that you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me.' Then he will tell those on his left: 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the ever-burning fire that is prepared for the Devil and his [fallen] angels. I was hungry and you did not feed me. I was thirsty and you did not give me drink. I was a stranger and you did not take me in. I was naked and you did not dress me. I was sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' They will also ask: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison and not minister to you?' The King will answer: 'To the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of my brothers, you did not do it to me.' These will go away into ever-burning fire (everlasting cutting off) (death) (total destruction) (doom) (punishment) (everlasting penalty), but the righteous to everlasting life.'

When day came the soldiers were disturbed by what happened to Peter. Herod had a thorough search made for him and could not find him. He cross examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Herod went from Judea to Caesarea to stay for a while.

When her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. They took them to the magistrates and said: These men, being Jews, cause great trouble in our city. They offer customs that it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans. read more.
The crowd rose up against them. The magistrates ripped their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods. After they were severely beaten, they threw them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safe. Receiving this command he threw them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet in the stocks. Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God at midnight. The prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a massive earthquake. It was so great the foundations of the prison-house were shaken. All the doors were opened and everyone's bands came off. The jailor, who was roused out of sleep and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. Paul cried with a loud voice: Do not harm yourself for we are all here. The jailer called for lights. He rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He brought them out and asked: Sirs, what must I do to be saved? They said: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your house. They spoke the Word of God to him and those in his house. That very hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds. Then he and all his family were baptized. He took them to his house and fed them. They rejoiced along with his entire house, having believed in God. The next day the magistrates sent the officers saying: Let those men go. The jailor reported the words to Paul, saying: The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore go in peace. Paul said to them: They have beaten us publicly uncondemned, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison. Do they now throw us out privately? No I say, but let them come in person to bring us out. The officers reported these words to the magistrates. They feared when they heard that they were Romans. They personally came to them and brought them out. They asked them to go away from the city. They left the prison and entered the house of Lydia. When they saw the brothers they comforted them and then left.

The Israelites took the Midianite women and children as prisoners of war. They also took all their animals, their livestock, and their valuables as loot.

So kill all the Midianite boys and every Midianite woman who has gone to bed with a man.

Then the high priest rose up, and all those of the sect of the Sadducees who were with him were filled with zeal (indignation). They captured the apostles and put them in the common prison. During the night God's angel opened the prison doors, brought them out and said: read more.
Go stand in the temple and speak to the people all the sayings about this life. When they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him. He called the council together and all the senate of the children of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. The officers did not find them in the prison when they came. So they returned and said, We found the prison locked with the guards standing before the doors. When we opened it we did not find a man. When the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted them. They wondered what this would come to. Someone came to them and told them: The men you put in prison are standing in the temple teaching the people. Then the captain with the officers brought them in without violence. They feared the people lest they should have been stoned. They brought them before the council and the high priest asked them: Did we command you not to teach in this name? Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and are willing to bring this man's blood upon us. Peter and the other apostles answered: We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed. You hanged him on a stake. God exalted him to his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things. The Holy Spirit, which God gave to those who obey him, also witnessed. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to kill them. One of the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had a reputation among all the people. He commanded to put the apostles outside for a while. He said to them: You men of Israel be careful what you intend to do to these men. Sometime ago Theudas claimed to be somebody. About four hundred men joined and obeyed him. He was killed and they finally dispersed. After this man Judas of Galilee rose in the days of the taxing, and drew away many people after him. He also perished and all who obeyed him dispersed. I tell you: Leave these men alone. If this message and this work are from men it will come to nothing. But if it is from God, you cannot overthrow it; otherwise you may find yourselves fighting against God. They agreed with him and called the apostles. They beat them and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus. Then they let them go. They left the council and rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. They taught daily in the temple and in every house. They did not cease to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

He saw that it pleased the Jews so he captured Peter also. This happened during the feast of unleavened bread. When he apprehended him, he put him in prison. He turned him over to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him. After Passover he would be presented to the people. Peter was kept in prison. Prayer was made without ceasing by the congregation to God for him. read more.
It was the night before Herod was to bring him to trial. Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. He was bound with two chains. Sentries stood guard at the prison door. Suddenly God's angel came to him. A light shined in the prison. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up saying: Get up quickly. And his chains fell off of his hands. The angel said: Dress yourself and put on sandals. Put on your coat and follow me. So Peter did as he was told. Peter followed him out of the prison. He did not know what the angel was doing was really happening. He thought he saw a vision. They went past the first and second guard to the Iron Gate that leads to the city. The gate opened and went out on the street. The angel then departed from him. Peter came to himself and he said: Now I know for sure that God sent his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jews. After he thought about what happened he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnamed Mark. Many were gathered there to pray. Peter knocked on the door and a young woman named Rhoda answered. When she recognized Peter's voice she was so overjoyed she ran back into the house to tell others he was there. She forgot to open the door for him. They said to her: You are mad. But she kept insisting that it was so. Then they said: It must be his angel. But Peter continued knocking. When they opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. Peter motioned for them to be quiet. Then he told them how God brought him out of the prison. He said: Tell James and the brothers. Then he went away to another place. When day came the soldiers were disturbed by what happened to Peter. Herod had a thorough search made for him and could not find him. He cross examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Herod went from Judea to Caesarea to stay for a while.

The officials were so angry with Jeremiah that they beat him and put him in prison in the scribe Jonathan's house, which had been turned into a prison.

Tell them: 'It is the king's order that this man is to be put in prison and given prison food till I come again in peace.'

It was the night before Herod was to bring him to trial. Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. He was bound with two chains. Sentries stood guard at the prison door. Suddenly God's angel came to him. A light shined in the prison. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up saying: Get up quickly. And his chains fell off of his hands.

That very hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds. Then he and all his family were baptized.

He commanded a centurion to keep Paul. Allow him some freedom of custody and that some of his people should come and minister to him.

At that time the army of the king of Babylon was blockading Jerusalem. The prophet Jeremiah was locked up in the courtyard of the prison. This prison was in the palace of the king of Judah.

Adoni-bezek fled and they chased him, caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his big toes. And Adoni-bezek said: Seventy kings with their big toes cut off have gathered food scrapes under my table. God has repaid me for what I have done. So they brought him to Jerusalem where he died.

They put the sons of Zedekiah to death before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, chained him with iron bands and took him to Babylon.

The Roman commander ordered his men to take Paul into the barracks. He told them to whip him in order to find out why the Jews were screaming like this against him.

The Philistines captured him and put his eyes out. They took him to Gaza, chained him with copper chains. They put him to work grinding at the mill in the prison.

So he put them in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard. It was the same place where Joseph was imprisoned.

It was the night before Herod was to bring him to trial. Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. He was bound with two chains. Sentries stood guard at the prison door.