New International Version NIV
New Revised Standard NRS
14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
14
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him."
15 Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”
15
But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."
16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”
16
But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised."
17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married.
17
For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her.
18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
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For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to,
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And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not,
20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled ; yet he liked to listen to him.
20
for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him.
21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.
21
But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee.
22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.”
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When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it."
23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
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And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom."
24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.
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She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer."
25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
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Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."
26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.
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The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her.
27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison,
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Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison,
28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.
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brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.
29 On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
29
When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
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New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.