²⁰ He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon;^(A) they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.^(B)

²¹ On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. ²² They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” ²³ Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel^(C) of the Lord struck him down,^(D) and he was eaten by worms and died.

²⁴ But the word of God^(E) continued to spread and flourish.^(F)