Atti degli Apostoli 12

LA SACRA BIBBIA	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Verso quel tempo il re Erode prese a maltrattare alcuni membri della chiesa.	1 Now at the same time, king Herod extended his hand, in order to afflict some from the Church.
2 Fece morire di spada Giacomo, fratello di Giovanni.	2 Then he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.
3 Vedendo che ciò era gradito ai Giudei, mandò ad arrestare anche Pietro. Si era nei 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 Catturato, lo pose in carcere, dandolo a sorvegliare a quattro picchetti di quattro soldati ciascuno, con l'intenzione 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 Mentre Pietro era tenuto in prigione, la chiesa rivolgeva senza sosta preghiere a Dio 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 La notte precedente il giorno fissato da Erode per farlo comparire davanti al popolo, Pietro dormiva in mezzo a due soldati, legato con due catene, mentre le sentinelle davanti alla porta facevano la guardia alla prigione.	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 un angelo del Signore gli si avvicinò e una luce risplendette nella cella. L'angelo scosse Pietro ad un fianco e lo svegliò dicendogli: "A'lzati, presto!". 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 L'angelo gli disse: "Mettiti la cintura e légati i sandali". Così fece. Poi gli dice: "Avvolgiti nel 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 E uscito lo seguiva, ma non si rendeva conto che era vero ciò che gli stava accadendo per mezzo dell'angelo: gli sembrava piuttosto di vedere 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 Oltrepassato il primo posto di guardia e il secondo, vennero alla porta di ferro che metteva in città. Essa si aprì da sola davanti a loro. Uscirono e si avviarono per una strada e improvvisamente 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 Allora Pietro, rientrato in sé, disse: "Ora capisco davvero che il Signore ha mandato il suo angelo e mi ha liberato dalla mano di Erode e ha reso vana l'attesa del 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 diresse verso la casa di Maria, madre di Giovanni soprannominato Marco, dove vi erano molti radunati e 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 Picchiò ai battenti del portone e una serva di nome Rode s'accostò per sentire.	13 Then, as he knocked at the door of the gate, a girl went out to answer, whose name was Rhoda.
14 Riconobbe la voce di Pietro, ma per la gioia non aprì il portone e corse dentro per annunciare che Pietro stava davanti al portone.	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 Quelli le dissero: "Sei impazzita". Ma lei continuava a sostenere che era così. E quelli dicevano: "E' il suo angelo".	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 Intanto Pietro continuava a bussare. Aperto, videro che era lui e rimasero sbalorditi.	16 But Peter was persevering in knocking. And when they had opened, they saw him and were astonished.
17 Fatto loro segno con la mano di tacere, raccontò loro come il Signore lo aveva fatto uscire dalla prigione. Poi disse: "Comunicate questa notizia a Giacomo e ai fratelli". Poi uscì e andò in 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, vi fu un gran subbuglio tra i soldati: che ne era 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 e non avendolo trovato interrogò le guardie e ordinò che fossero portate al supplizio. Poi dalla Giudea discese a Cesarea, dove si trattenne.	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 Erode aveva un grave dissidio con quelli di Tiro e di Sidone. Ma essi d'accordo si presentarono a lui e, avendo guadagnato alla loro causa Blasto, ciambellano del re, sollecitavano la pace, poiché il loro paese era rifornito di 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 stabilito Erode, rivestito degli abiti regali e seduto in trono, tenne loro un'allocuzione.	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 gridava: "Voce di 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 all'istante un angelo del Signore lo percosse, perché non aveva dato gloria a Dio, e, divorato 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 moltiplicava.	24 But the word of the Lord was increasing and multiplying.
25 Bàrnaba e Saulo ritornarono da Gerusalemme, avendo compiuto la loro missione, e portarono con sé Giovanni, soprannominato Marco.	25 Then Barnabas and Saul, having completed the ministry, returned from Jerusalem, bringing with them John, who was surnamed Mark.