Atti degli Apostoli 12

BIBBIA CEI 1974	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 In quel tempo il re Erode cominciò a perseguitare alcuni membri della Chiesa	1 Now at the same time, king Herod extended his hand, in order to afflict some from the Church.
2 e fece uccidere di spada Giacomo, fratello di Giovanni.	2 Then he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.
3 Vedendo che questo era gradito ai Giudei, decise di arrestare anche Pietro. Erano quelli i giorni degli Azzimi.	3 And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he set out next to apprehend Peter also. Now it was the days of Unleavened Bread.
4 Fattolo catturare, lo gettò in prigione, consegnandolo in custodia a quattro picchetti di quattro soldati ciascuno, col proposito di farlo comparire davanti al popolo dopo la Pasqua.	4 So when he had apprehended him, he sent him into prison, handing him over into the custody of four groups of four soldiers, intending to produce him to the people after the Passover.
5 Pietro dunque era tenuto in prigione, mentre una preghiera saliva incessantemente a Dio dalla Chiesa per lui.	5 And so Peter was detained in prison. But prayers were being made without ceasing, by the Church, to God on his behalf.
6 E in quella notte, quando poi Erode stava per farlo comparire davanti al popolo, Pietro piantonato da due soldati e legato con due catene stava dormendo, mentre davanti alla porta le sentinelle custodivano il carcere.	6 And when Herod was ready to produce him, in that same night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, and was bound with two chains. And there were guards in front of the door, guarding the prison.
7 Ed ecco gli si presentò un angelo del Signore e una luce sfolgorò nella cella. Egli toccò il fianco di Pietro, lo destò e disse: "Alzati, in fretta!". E le catene gli caddero dalle mani.	7 And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood near, and a light shined forth in the cell. And tapping Peter on the side, he awakened him, saying, “Rise up, quickly.” And the chains fell from his hands.
8 E l'angelo a lui: "Mettiti la cintura e legati i sandali". E così fece. L'angelo disse: "Avvolgiti il mantello, e seguimi!".	8 Then the Angel said to him: “Dress yourself, and put on your boots.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your garment around yourself and follow me.”
9 Pietro uscì e prese a seguirlo, ma non si era ancora accorto che era realtà ciò che stava succedendo per opera dell'angelo: credeva infatti di avere una visione.	9 And going out, he followed him. And he did not know this truth: that this was being done by an Angel. For he thought that he was seeing a vision.
10 Essi oltrepassarono la prima guardia e la seconda e arrivarono alla porta di ferro che conduce in città: la porta si aprì da sé davanti a loro. Uscirono, percorsero una strada e a un tratto l'angelo si dileguò da lui.	10 And passing by the first and second guards, they came to the iron gate which leads into the city; and it opened for them by itself. And departing, they continued on along a certain side street. And suddenly the Angel withdrew from him.
11 Pietro allora, rientrato in sé, disse: "Ora sono veramente certo che il Signore ha mandato il suo angelo e mi ha strappato dalla mano di Erode e da tutto ciò che si attendeva il popolo dei Giudei".	11 And Peter, returning to himself, said: “Now I know, truly, that the Lord sent his Angel, and that he rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the people of the Jews were anticipating.”
12 Dopo aver riflettuto, si recò alla casa di Maria, madre di Giovanni detto anche Marco, dove si trovava un buon numero di persone raccolte in preghiera.	12 And as he was considering this, he arrived at the house of Mary, the mother of John, who was surnamed Mark, where many were gathered and were praying.
13 Appena ebbe bussato alla porta esterna, una fanciulla di nome Rode si avvicinò per sentire chi era.	13 Then, as he knocked at the door of the gate, a girl went out to answer, whose name was Rhoda.
14 Riconosciuta la voce di Pietro, per la gioia non aprì la porta, ma corse ad annunziare che fuori c'era Pietro.	14 And when she recognized the voice of Peter, out of joy, she did not open the gate, but instead, running in, she reported that Peter stood before the gate.
15 "Tu vaneggi!" le dissero. Ma essa insisteva che la cosa stava così. E quelli dicevano: "È l'angelo di Pietro".	15 But they said to her, “You are crazy.” But she reaffirmed that this was so. Then they were saying, “It is his angel.”
16 Questi intanto continuava a bussare e quando aprirono la porta e lo videro, rimasero stupefatti.	16 But Peter was persevering in knocking. And when they had opened, they saw him and were astonished.
17 Egli allora, fatto segno con la mano di tacere, narrò come il Signore lo aveva tratto fuori del carcere, e aggiunse: "Riferite questo a Giacomo e ai fratelli". Poi uscì e s'incamminò verso un altro luogo.	17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he explained how the Lord had led him away from prison. And he said, “Inform James and those brothers.” And going out, he went away to another place.
18 Fattosi giorno, c'era non poco scompiglio tra i soldati: che cosa mai era accaduto di Pietro?	18 Then, when daylight came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers, as to what had happened concerning Peter.
19 Erode lo fece cercare accuratamente, ma non essendo riuscito a trovarlo, fece processare i soldati e ordinò che fossero messi a morte; poi scese dalla Giudea e soggiornò a Cesarèa.	19 And when Herod had requested him and did not obtain him, having had the guards interrogated, he ordered them led away. And descending from Judea into Caesarea, he lodged there.
20 Egli era infuriato contro i cittadini di Tiro e Sidone. Questi però si presentarono a lui di comune accordo e, dopo aver tratto alla loro causa Blasto, ciambellano del re, chiedevano pace, perché il loro paese riceveva i viveri dal paese del re.	20 Now he was angry with those of Tyre and Sidon. But they came to him with one accord, and, having persuaded Blastus, who was over the bedchamber of the king, they petitioned for peace, because their regions were supplied with food by him.
21 Nel giorno fissato Erode, vestito del manto regale e seduto sul podio, tenne loro un discorso.	21 Then, on the appointed day, Herod was clothed in kingly apparel, and he sat in the judgment seat, and he gave a speech to them.
22 Il popolo acclamava: "Parola di un dio e non di un uomo!".	22 Then the people were crying out, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
23 Ma improvvisamente un angelo del Signore lo colpì, perché non aveva dato gloria a Dio; e roso, dai vermi, spirò.	23 And immediately, an Angel of the Lord struck him down, because he had not given honor to God. And having been consumed by worms, he expired.
24 Intanto la parola di Dio cresceva e si diffondeva.	24 But the word of the Lord was increasing and multiplying.
25 Bàrnaba e Saulo poi, compiuta la loro missione, tornarono da Gerusalemme prendendo con loro Giovanni, detto anche Marco.	25 Then Barnabas and Saul, having completed the ministry, returned from Jerusalem, bringing with them John, who was surnamed Mark.