Exodus 39-40
New Living Translation
Clothing for the Priests
39 The craftsmen made beautiful sacred garments of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth—clothing for Aaron to wear while ministering in the Holy Place, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
Making the Ephod
2 Bezalel[a] made the ephod of finely woven linen and embroidered it with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread. 3 He made gold thread by hammering out thin sheets of gold and cutting it into fine strands. With great skill and care, he worked it into the fine linen with the blue, purple, and scarlet thread.
4 The ephod consisted of two pieces, front and back, joined at the shoulders with two shoulder-pieces. 5 The decorative sash was made of the same materials: finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 6 They mounted the two onyx stones in settings of gold filigree. The stones were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, just as a seal is engraved. 7 He fastened these stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that the priest represents the people of Israel. All this was done just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
Making the Chestpiece
8 Bezalel made the chestpiece with great skill and care. He made it to match the ephod, using finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread. 9 He made the chestpiece of a single piece of cloth folded to form a pouch nine inches[b] square. 10 They mounted four rows of gemstones[c] on it. The first row contained a red carnelian, a pale-green peridot, and an emerald. 11 The second row contained a turquoise, a blue lapis lazuli, and a white moonstone. 12 The third row contained an orange jacinth, an agate, and a purple amethyst. 13 The fourth row contained a blue-green beryl, an onyx, and a green jasper. All these stones were set in gold filigree. 14 Each stone represented one of the twelve sons of Israel, and the name of that tribe was engraved on it like a seal.
15 To attach the chestpiece to the ephod, they made braided cords of pure gold thread. 16 They also made two settings of gold filigree and two gold rings and attached them to the top corners of the chestpiece. 17 They tied the two gold cords to the rings on the chestpiece. 18 They tied the other ends of the cords to the gold settings on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod. 19 Then they made two more gold rings and attached them to the inside edges of the chestpiece next to the ephod. 20 Then they made two more gold rings and attached them to the front of the ephod, below the shoulder-pieces, just above the knot where the decorative sash was fastened to the ephod. 21 They attached the bottom rings of the chestpiece to the rings on the ephod with blue cords. In this way, the chestpiece was held securely to the ephod above the decorative sash. All this was done just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
Additional Clothing for the Priests
22 Bezalel made the robe that is worn with the ephod from a single piece of blue woven cloth, 23 with an opening for Aaron’s head in the middle of it. The opening was reinforced with a woven collar[d] so it would not tear. 24 They made pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attached them to the hem of the robe. 25 They also made bells of pure gold and placed them between the pomegranates along the hem of the robe, 26 with bells and pomegranates alternating all around the hem. This robe was to be worn whenever the priest ministered before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
27 They made tunics for Aaron and his sons from fine linen cloth. 28 The turban and the special head coverings were made of fine linen, and the undergarments were also made of finely woven linen. 29 The sashes were made of finely woven linen and embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
30 Finally, they made the sacred medallion—the badge of holiness—of pure gold. They engraved it like a seal with these words: Holy to the lord. 31 They attached the medallion with a blue cord to Aaron’s turban, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
Moses Inspects the Work
32 And so at last the Tabernacle[e] was finished. The Israelites had done everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 33 And they brought the entire Tabernacle to Moses:
the sacred tent with all its furnishings, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases;
34 the tent coverings of tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather;
the inner curtain to shield the Ark;
35 the Ark of the Covenant[f] and its carrying poles;
the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement;
36 the table and all its utensils;
the Bread of the Presence;
37 the pure gold lampstand with its symmetrical lamp cups, all its accessories, and the olive oil for lighting;
38 the gold altar;
the anointing oil and fragrant incense;
the curtain for the entrance of the sacred tent;
39 the bronze altar;
the bronze grating and its carrying poles and utensils;
the washbasin with its stand;
40 the curtains for the walls of the courtyard;
the posts and their bases;
the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard;
the ropes and tent pegs;
all the furnishings to be used in worship at the Tabernacle;
41 the beautifully stitched garments for the priests to wear while ministering in the Holy Place—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests.
42 So the people of Israel followed all of the Lord’s instructions to Moses. 43 Then Moses inspected all their work. When he found it had been done just as the Lord had commanded him, he blessed them.
The Tabernacle Completed
40 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Set up the Tabernacle[g] on the first day of the new year.[h] 3 Place the Ark of the Covenant[i] inside, and install the inner curtain to enclose the Ark within the Most Holy Place. 4 Then bring in the table, and arrange the utensils on it. And bring in the lampstand, and set up the lamps.
5 “Place the gold incense altar in front of the Ark of the Covenant. Then hang the curtain at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 6 Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the Tabernacle entrance. 7 Set the washbasin between the Tabernacle[j] and the altar, and fill it with water. 8 Then set up the courtyard around the outside of the tent, and hang the curtain for the courtyard entrance.
9 “Take the anointing oil and anoint the Tabernacle and all its furnishings to consecrate them and make them holy. 10 Anoint the altar of burnt offering and its utensils to consecrate them. Then the altar will become absolutely holy. 11 Next anoint the washbasin and its stand to consecrate them.
12 “Present Aaron and his sons at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and wash them with water. 13 Dress Aaron with the sacred garments and anoint him, consecrating him to serve me as a priest. 14 Then present his sons and dress them in their tunics. 15 Anoint them as you did their father, so they may also serve me as priests. With their anointing, Aaron’s descendants are set apart for the priesthood forever, from generation to generation.”
16 Moses proceeded to do everything just as the Lord had commanded him. 17 So the Tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month of the second year. 18 Moses erected the Tabernacle by setting down its bases, inserting the frames, attaching the crossbars, and setting up the posts. 19 Then he spread the coverings over the Tabernacle framework and put on the protective layers, just as the Lord had commanded him.
20 He took the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant and placed them[k] inside the Ark. Then he attached the carrying poles to the Ark, and he set the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—on top of it. 21 Then he brought the Ark of the Covenant into the Tabernacle and hung the inner curtain to shield it from view, just as the Lord had commanded him.
22 Next Moses placed the table in the Tabernacle, along the north side of the Holy Place, just outside the inner curtain. 23 And he arranged the Bread of the Presence on the table before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded him.
24 He set the lampstand in the Tabernacle across from the table on the south side of the Holy Place. 25 Then he lit the lamps in the Lord’s presence, just as the Lord had commanded him. 26 He also placed the gold incense altar in the Tabernacle, in the Holy Place in front of the inner curtain. 27 On it he burned the fragrant incense, just as the Lord had commanded him.
28 He hung the curtain at the entrance of the Tabernacle, 29 and he placed the altar of burnt offering near the Tabernacle entrance. On it he offered a burnt offering and a grain offering, just as the Lord had commanded him.
30 Next Moses placed the washbasin between the Tabernacle and the altar. He filled it with water so the priests could wash themselves. 31 Moses and Aaron and Aaron’s sons used water from it to wash their hands and feet. 32 Whenever they approached the altar and entered the Tabernacle, they washed themselves, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
33 Then he hung the curtains forming the courtyard around the Tabernacle and the altar. And he set up the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard. So at last Moses finished the work.
The Lord’s Glory Fills the Tabernacle
34 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 35 Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.
36 Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. 37 But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. 38 The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.
Footnotes
- 39:2 Hebrew He; also in 39:8, 22.
- 39:9 Hebrew 1 span [23 centimeters].
- 39:10 The identification of some of these gemstones is uncertain.
- 39:23 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
- 39:32 Hebrew the Tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting; also in 39:40.
- 39:35 Or Ark of the Testimony.
- 40:2a Hebrew the Tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting; also in 40:6, 29.
- 40:2b Hebrew the first day of the first month. This day of the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar occurred in March or April.
- 40:3 Or Ark of the Testimony; also in 40:5, 21.
- 40:7 Hebrew Tent of Meeting; also in 40:12, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32, 34, 35.
- 40:20 Hebrew He placed the Testimony; see note on 25:16.
Exodus 39-40
New American Standard Bible
The Priestly Garments
39 Now from the (A)[a]violet, purple, and scarlet material they made finely (B)woven garments for ministering in the Holy Place, [b]as well as the holy garments which were for Aaron, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
2 (C)He made the ephod of gold and of violet, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen. 3 Then they hammered out gold sheets and cut them into threads [c]to be woven in with the violet, the purple, and the scarlet material, and the fine linen, the work of a skilled embroiderer. 4 They made attaching shoulder pieces for [d]the ephod; it was attached at its two upper ends. 5 And the skillfully woven band of its overlay which was on it was like its workmanship, [e]of the same material: of gold and of violet, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
6 (D)They also made the onyx stones, set in gold filigree settings; they were engraved like the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the sons of Israel. 7 And (E)he placed them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
8 And (F)he made the breastpiece, the work of a skilled embroiderer, like the workmanship of the ephod: of gold and of violet, purple, and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. 9 It was square; they made the breastpiece folded double, a [f]span [g]long and a span [h]wide when folded double. 10 And they [i]mounted four rows of stones on it. The first row was a row of ruby, topaz, and emerald; 11 and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; 12 and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 13 and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were set in gold filigree settings when they were [j]mounted. 14 The stones corresponded to the names of the sons of Israel; they were twelve, corresponding to their names, engraved with the engravings of a signet, each with its name for the twelve tribes. 15 And they made for the breastpiece chains like cords, work of twisted cords of pure gold. 16 They made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastpiece. 17 Then they put the two gold cords in the two rings at the ends of the breastpiece. 18 And they put the other two ends of the two cords on the two filigree settings, and put them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front of it. 19 They made two gold rings and placed them on the two ends of the breastpiece, on its inner edge which was next to the ephod. 20 Furthermore, they made two gold rings and placed them on the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, on the front of it, close to the place where it joined, above the woven band of the ephod. 21 And they bound the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a violet cord, so that it would be on the woven band of the ephod, and that the breastpiece would not come loose from the ephod, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
22 (G)Then he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of violet; 23 (H)and the opening of the robe was at the top in the center, as the opening of a coat of mail, with a binding all around its opening, so that it would not be torn. 24 And they made pomegranates of violet, purple, and scarlet material and twisted linen on the hem of the robe. 25 They also made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates all around on the hem of the [k]robe, 26 [l]alternating a bell and a pomegranate all around on the hem of the robe for the service, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
27 (I)They also made the tunics of finely woven linen for Aaron and his sons, 28 and the turban of fine linen, and the decorated [m]caps of fine linen, and the linen undergarments of fine twisted linen, 29 and the sash of fine twisted linen, and violet, purple, and scarlet material, the work of the [n]weaver, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
30 (J)They also made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and [o]inscribed it like the engravings of a signet, “Holy to the Lord.” 31 Then they [p]fastened a violet cord to it, to [q]fasten it on the turban above, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
32 So all the work of the [r]tabernacle of the tent of meeting was completed; and the sons of Israel did according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses; so they did. 33 Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses, the tent and all its [s]furnishings: its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its bases; 34 and the covering of rams’ skins [t]dyed red, and the covering of [u]fine leather, and the covering curtain; 35 the ark of the testimony, its poles, and the [v]atoning cover; 36 the table, all its utensils, and the bread of the [w]Presence; 37 the pure gold lampstand, [x]with its arrangement of lamps and all its utensils, and the oil for the light; 38 and the gold altar, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the doorway of the tent; 39 the [y]bronze altar and its [z]bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils, the basin and its stand; 40 the hangings for the courtyard, its pillars and its bases, and the curtain for the gate of the courtyard, its ropes and its pegs, and all the [aa]equipment for the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of meeting; 41 the woven garments for ministering in the Holy Place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to serve as priests. 42 So the sons of Israel did all the work according to everything that the Lord had commanded Moses. 43 And Moses [ab]examined all the work, and behold, they had done it; just as the Lord had commanded, this they had done. So Moses (K)blessed them.
The Tabernacle Erected
40 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “(L)On the first day of the first month you shall set up the [ac]tabernacle of the tent of meeting. 3 (M)You shall place the ark of the testimony there, and you shall screen off the ark with the veil. 4 Then you shall (N)bring in the table and (O)arrange [ad]what belongs on it; and you shall (P)bring in the lampstand and [ae]mount its lamps. 5 You shall also (Q)set the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the testimony, and set up the curtain for the doorway to the tabernacle. 6 And you shall set the altar of burnt offering in front of the doorway of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. 7 Then you shall (R)set the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water [af]in it. 8 You shall also set up the courtyard all around and [ag]hang up the curtain for the gate of the courtyard. 9 Then you shall take the anointing oil and (S)anoint the tabernacle and everything that is in it, and consecrate it and all its [ah]furnishings; and it shall be holy. 10 You shall also anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar, and (T)the altar shall be most holy. 11 And you shall anoint the basin and its stand, and consecrate it. 12 Then you shall (U)bring Aaron and his sons to the doorway of the tent of meeting and wash them with water. 13 And (V)you shall put the holy garments on Aaron and anoint him and consecrate him, so that he may serve as a priest to Me. 14 You shall also bring his sons and put tunics on them; 15 and you shall anoint them just as you have anointed their father, so that they may serve as priests to Me; and their anointing will [ai]qualify them for a (W)permanent priesthood throughout their generations.” 16 So Moses did these things; according to all that the Lord had commanded him, so he did.
17 Now (X)in the first month [aj]of the second year, on the first day of the month, the [ak]tabernacle was erected. 18 Moses erected the tabernacle and [al]laid its bases, and set up its boards, and [am]inserted its bars, and erected its pillars. 19 And he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent [an]on top of it, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 20 Then he took (Y)the testimony and put it into the ark, and [ao]attached the poles to the ark, and put the [ap]atoning cover [aq]on top of the ark. 21 He then brought the ark into the tabernacle, and (Z)set up a veil for the covering, and screened off the ark of the testimony, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 22 He also (AA)put the table in the tent of meeting on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil. 23 And he set the arrangement of (AB)bread in order on it before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 24 Then he placed the lampstand in the tent of meeting, opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle. 25 And he (AC)lighted the lamps before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 26 Then he (AD)placed the gold altar in the tent of meeting in front of the veil; 27 and he (AE)burned fragrant incense on it, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 28 Then he set up the curtain for the doorway of the tabernacle. 29 And he (AF)set the altar of burnt offering in front of the doorway of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and (AG)offered on it the burnt offering and the meal offering, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 30 He placed the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it for washing. 31 (AH)From it Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet. 32 When they entered the tent of meeting, and when they approached the altar, they washed, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 33 And he (AI)erected the courtyard all around the [ar]tabernacle and the altar, and [as]hung up the curtain for the gate of the courtyard. So Moses finished the work.
The Glory of the Lord
34 (AJ)Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the (AK)glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses (AL)was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Throughout their journeys, (AM)whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; 37 but (AN)if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. 38 For throughout their journeys, (AO)the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.
Footnotes
- Exodus 39:1 Or bluish; LXX hyacinth in color, and so throughout the ch
- Exodus 39:1 Lit and they made
- Exodus 39:3 Lit to work
- Exodus 39:4 Lit it
- Exodus 39:5 Lit from it
- Exodus 39:9 About 9 in. or 23 cm
- Exodus 39:9 Lit its length
- Exodus 39:9 Lit its width
- Exodus 39:10 Lit filled
- Exodus 39:13 Lit filled
- Exodus 39:25 Lit robe, between the pomegranates
- Exodus 39:26 Lit a bell and a pomegranate, a bell...
- Exodus 39:28 Lit headgear
- Exodus 39:29 Lit variegator; i.e., a weaver in colors
- Exodus 39:30 Lit wrote on it a writing
- Exodus 39:31 Lit put
- Exodus 39:31 Lit put
- Exodus 39:32 Lit dwelling place
- Exodus 39:33 Or utensils
- Exodus 39:34 Or tanned
- Exodus 39:34 Meaning of the Heb uncertain
- Exodus 39:35 Also called mercy seat; i.e., where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement
- Exodus 39:36 Lit Face
- Exodus 39:37 Lit its lamps, the lamps set in order
- Exodus 39:39 Or copper
- Exodus 39:39 Or copper
- Exodus 39:40 Or utensils
- Exodus 39:43 Lit saw
- Exodus 40:2 Or dwelling place
- Exodus 40:4 Lit its arrangement
- Exodus 40:4 Or light
- Exodus 40:7 Lit there
- Exodus 40:8 Lit put the screen
- Exodus 40:9 Or utensils
- Exodus 40:15 Lit be for them
- Exodus 40:17 Lit in
- Exodus 40:17 Lit dwelling place
- Exodus 40:18 Lit put
- Exodus 40:18 Lit put
- Exodus 40:19 Lit over it above
- Exodus 40:20 Lit set
- Exodus 40:20 Also called mercy seat; i.e., where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement
- Exodus 40:20 Lit over the ark above
- Exodus 40:33 Or dwelling place
- Exodus 40:33 Lit put the screen
Psalm 15
New Living Translation
Psalm 15
A psalm of David.
1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
3 Those who refuse to gossip
or harm their neighbors
or speak evil of their friends.
4 Those who despise flagrant sinners,
and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,
and keep their promises even when it hurts.
5 Those who lend money without charging interest,
and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever.
Psalm 15
New American Standard Bible
Description of a Citizen of Zion.
A Psalm of David.
15 Lord, who may reside (A)in Your tent?
Who may settle on Your (B)holy hill?
2 One who (C)walks with integrity, practices righteousness,
And (D)speaks truth in his heart.
3 He (E)does not slander [a]with his tongue,
Nor (F)do evil to his neighbor,
Nor (G)bring shame on his friend;
4 A despicable person is despised in his eyes,
But he (H)honors those who fear the Lord;
He (I)takes an oath to his own detriment, and does not change;
5 He (J)does not [b]lend his money [c]at interest,
Nor (K)does he take a bribe against the innocent.
(L)One who does these things will never be shaken.
Footnotes
- Psalm 15:3 Lit according to
- Psalm 15:5 Lit give
- Psalm 15:5 I.e., to a fellow Israelite
Acts 12
New Living Translation
James Is Killed and Peter Is Imprisoned
12 About that time King Herod Agrippa[a] began to persecute some believers in the church. 2 He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. 3 When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.[b]) 4 Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. 5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.
Peter’s Miraculous Escape from Prison
6 The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. 7 Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.
9 So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. 10 They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.
11 Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders[c] had planned to do to me!”
12 When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. 13 He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!”
15 “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.”
16 Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. 17 He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place.
18 At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter. 19 Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for him. When he couldn’t be found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death. Afterward Herod left Judea to stay in Caesarea for a while.
The Death of Herod Agrippa
20 Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod’s country for food. The delegates won the support of Blastus, Herod’s personal assistant, 21 and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. 22 The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!”
23 Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.
24 Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.
25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission to Jerusalem, they returned,[d] taking John Mark with them.
Footnotes
- 12:1 Greek Herod the king. He was the nephew of Herod Antipas and a grandson of Herod the Great.
- 12:3 Greek the days of unleavened bread.
- 12:11 Or the Jewish people.
- 12:25 Or mission, they returned to Jerusalem. Other manuscripts read mission, they returned from Jerusalem; still others read mission, they returned from Jerusalem to Antioch.
Acts 12
New American Standard Bible
Peter’s Arrest and Deliverance
12 Now about that time [a]Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, to do them harm. 2 And he (A)had James the brother of John (B)executed with a sword. 3 When he saw that it (C)pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter as well. (Now these were [b](D)the days of Unleavened Bread.) 4 When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, turning him over to four [c](E)squads of soldiers to guard him, intending only after (F)the Passover to bring him before the people. 5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made to God [d]intensely by the church.
6 On [e]the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, (G)bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. 7 And behold, (H)an angel of the Lord suddenly (I)stood near Peter, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And (J)his chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Put on your belt and [f]strap on your sandals.” And he did so. And he *said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and continued to follow, and yet he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing (K)a vision. 10 Now when they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which (L)opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 When Peter (M)came [g]to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that (N)the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all [h]that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of (O)John, who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and (P)were praying. 13 When he knocked at the door of the gate, (Q)a slave woman named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, (R)because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They said, “It is (S)his angel.” 16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But (T)motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things to [i](U)James and (V)the brothers.” Then he left and went to another place.
18 Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to [j]what could have become of Peter. 19 When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they (W)be led away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to (X)Caesarea and was spending time there.
Death of Herod
20 Now he was very angry with the people of (Y)Tyre and Sidon; and with one mind they came to him, and having won over Blastus the king’s chamberlain, they were asking for peace, because (Z)their country was supported with grain from the king’s country. 21 On an appointed day, after putting on his royal apparel, Herod took his seat on the [k]rostrum and began delivering an address to them. 22 The people repeatedly cried out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 And immediately (AA)an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and [l]died.
24 But (AB)the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.
25 And (AC)Barnabas and (AD)Saul returned (AE)when they had fulfilled their [m]mission to Jerusalem, taking along with them (AF)John, who was also called Mark.
Footnotes
- Acts 12:1 I.e., Herod Agrippa I
- Acts 12:3 I.e., Passover week
- Acts 12:4 Lit quaternions; a quaternion was composed of four soldiers
- Acts 12:5 Or constantly
- Acts 12:6 Lit that night
- Acts 12:8 Lit bind
- Acts 12:11 Lit in himself
- Acts 12:11 Lit the expectation of the people of the Jews
- Acts 12:17 Or Jacob
- Acts 12:18 Lit what therefore had become
- Acts 12:21 Or judgment seat
- Acts 12:23 Lit expired
- Acts 12:25 Lit ministry
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
