the care of sixteen soldiers; and intended after the Passover
to bring him out again to the people.
012:005 So Peter was kept in prison; but long and fervent prayer was
offered to God by the Church on his behalf.
012:006 Now when Herod was on the point of taking him out of prison,
that very night Peter was asleep between two soldiers,
bound with two chains, and guards were on duty outside the door.
012:007 Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone
in the cell; and, striking Peter on the side, he woke him
and said, "Rise quickly." Instantly the chains dropped
off his wrists.
012:008 "Fasten your girdle," said the angel, "and tie on your sandals."
He did so. Then the angel said, "Throw your cloak round you,
and follow me."
012:009 So Peter went out, following him, yet could not believe
that what the angel was doing was real, but supposed that
he saw a vision.
012:010 And passing through the first ward and the second, they came
to the iron gate leading into the city. This opened to them
of itself; and, going out, they passed on through one of
the streets, and then suddenly the angel left him.
012:011 Peter coming to himself said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord
has sent His angel and has rescued me from the power of Herod
and from all that the Jewish people were anticipating."
012:012 So, after thinking things over, he went to the house of Mary,
the mother of John surnamed Mark, where a large number
of people were assembled, praying.
012:013 When he knocked at the wicket in the door, a maidservant named
Rhoda came to answer the knock;
012:014 and recognizing Peter's voice, for very joy she did not open