Acts of the Apostles 12

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	BIBBIA CEI 2008
1 Now at the same time, king Herod extended his hand, in order to afflict some from the Church.	1 In quel tempo il re Erode cominciò a perseguitare alcuni membri della Chiesa.
2 Then he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.	2 Fece uccidere di spada Giacomo, fratello di Giovanni.
3 And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he set out next to apprehend Peter also. Now it was the days of Unleavened Bread.	3 Vedendo che ciò era gradito ai Giudei, fece arrestare anche Pietro. Erano quelli i giorni degli Azzimi.
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.	4 Lo fece catturare e lo gettò in carcere, consegnandolo in custodia a quattro picchetti di quattro soldati ciascuno, col proposito di farlo comparire davanti al popolo dopo la Pasqua.
5 And so Peter was detained in prison. But prayers were being made without ceasing, by the Church, to God on his behalf.	5 Mentre Pietro dunque era tenuto in carcere, dalla Chiesa saliva incessantemente a Dio una preghiera per lui.
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.	6 In quella notte, quando Erode stava per farlo comparire davanti al popolo, Pietro, piantonato da due soldati e legato con due catene, stava dormendo, mentre davanti alle porte le sentinelle custodivano il carcere.
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.	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: «Àlzati, in fretta!». E le catene gli caddero dalle mani.
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.”	8 L’angelo gli disse: «Mettiti la cintura e légati i sandali». E così fece. L’angelo disse: «Metti il mantello e seguimi!».
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.	9 Pietro uscì e prese a seguirlo, ma non si rendeva conto che era realtà ciò che stava succedendo per opera dell’angelo: credeva invece di avere una visione.
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.	10 Essi oltrepassarono il primo posto di guardia e il secondo 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 allontanò da lui.
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.”	11 Pietro allora, rientrato in sé, disse: «Ora so veramente che il Signore ha mandato il suo angelo e mi ha strappato dalla mano di Erode e da tutto ciò che il popolo dei Giudei si attendeva».
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.	12 Dopo aver riflettuto, si recò alla casa di Maria, madre di Giovanni, detto Marco, dove molti erano riuniti e pregavano.
13 Then, as he knocked at the door of the gate, a girl went out to answer, whose name was Rhoda.	13 Appena ebbe bussato alla porta esterna, una serva di nome Rode si avvicinò per sentire chi era.
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.	14 Riconosciuta la voce di Pietro, per la gioia non aprì la porta, ma corse ad annunciare che fuori c’era 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.”	15 «Tu vaneggi!», le dissero. Ma ella insisteva che era proprio così. E quelli invece dicevano: «È l’angelo di Pietro».
16 But Peter was persevering in knocking. And when they had opened, they saw him and were astonished.	16 Questi intanto continuava a bussare e, quando aprirono e lo videro, rimasero stupefatti.
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.	17 Egli allora fece loro cenno con la mano di tacere e narrò loro come il Signore lo aveva tratto fuori dal carcere, e aggiunse: «Riferite questo a Giacomo e ai fratelli». Poi uscì e se ne andò verso un altro luogo.
18 Then, when daylight came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers, as to what had happened concerning Peter.	18 Sul far del giorno, c’era non poco scompiglio tra i soldati: che cosa mai era accaduto di Pietro?
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.	19 Erode lo fece cercare e, non essendo riuscito a trovarlo, fece processare le sentinelle e ordinò che fossero messe a morte; poi scese dalla Giudea e soggiornò a Cesarèa.
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.	20 Egli era infuriato contro gli abitanti di Tiro e di Sidone. Questi però si presentarono a lui di comune accordo e, dopo aver convinto Blasto, prefetto della camera del re, chiedevano pace, perché il loro paese riceveva viveri dal paese del re.
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.	21 Nel giorno fissato Erode, vestito del manto regale e seduto sul podio, tenne loro un discorso.
22 Then the people were crying out, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”	22 La folla acclamava: «Voce di un dio e non di un uomo!».
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.	23 Ma improvvisamente un angelo del Signore lo colpì, perché non aveva dato gloria a Dio; ed egli, divorato dai vermi, spirò.
24 But the word of the Lord was increasing and multiplying.	24 Intanto la parola di Dio cresceva e si diffondeva.
25 Then Barnabas and Saul, having completed the ministry, returned from Jerusalem, bringing with them John, who was surnamed Mark.	25 Bàrnaba e Saulo poi, compiuto il loro servizio a Gerusalemme, tornarono prendendo con sé Giovanni, detto Marco.