Acts:12

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* ABOUT that time King Herod laid hands on some members of the church in order to maltreat them . * He killed James the brother of John with the sword . * Seeing that it was pleasing to the Jews , he proceeded to arrest Peter also . This was during the Days of Unleavened Bread . * He seized him and put him in prison , committing him to four guards of four soldiers each for safe keeping , intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover . * So Peter was under guard in the prison . But prayer was continually made by the church to God for him . * On the very night before Herod was going to bring him out , Peter was sleeping between two soldiers bound with two chains , and guards before the door were watching the prison . * Suddenly an angel of the Lord was there . Light shone in the cell . Striking Peter 's side he woke him , saying , "Rise up quickly ." His chains fell off his hands . * The angel said to him , "Put on your belt and your sandals ." Peter did so . The angel said to him , "Throw your cloak around you and follow me ." * Peter came out and followed along , not knowing whether what the angel was doing was real . He thought he was seeing a vision . * After passing the first guard and the second , they came to the iron gate that leads into the city . This opened for them of its own accord and they went out and went along one street . Then suddenly the angel left him . * When Peter came to himself , he said , "Now I know truly that the Lord has sent his angel and has delivered me out of the hands of Herod , and from all the expectation of the Jewish people ." * So understanding the situation , he came to the house of Mary the mother of John called Mark , where a number were assembled and were praying . * When Peter knocked at the door of the entry , a girl named Rhoda came to listen , * and when she recognized Peter 's voice , without opening the door , she ran for joy and told them that Peter was standing at the door . * They said to her , "You are insane ." But she was positive that it was so . They said , "It is his angel ." * Peter continued knocking . When they opened the door and saw him they were amazed . * He motioned to them with his hand to be silent , and explained to them how the Lord had delivered him out of the prison , and he said , "Tell this to James and the brethren ." Then he left and went to a different place . * When day came there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter . * Herod searched for him , but not finding him he closely questioned the guards and ordered them to be led away to execution . Then he went down from Jerusalem to Caesarea and stayed there . * Herod had a bitter feud with the Tyrians and Sidonians . But they came to him with one mind , and having won over Blastus , the King 's chamberlain , they begged for peace , because their country depended for its food supply on the King 's country . * On an appointed day Herod in his royal robes sat on a platform and made an address to them . * The people shouted , "It is a god 's voice , not a man 's ." * Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him , because he did not give the glory to God , and he was eaten by worms and expired . * But God 's message grew and spread . * Barnabas and Saul after fulfilling their mission returned from Jerusalem , bringing along with them John , surnamed Mark .

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