18 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.
19 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.
20 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not.
21 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man, and a holy man, and one who feared God and observed to worship him; and when he heard him he did many things for him, and heard him gladly.
22 But when Herod's birth-day was come, he made a supper for his lords, high captains, and the chief priests of Galilee.
23 And when the daughter of Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
24 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
25 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
26 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me, by and by, in a charger, the head of John the Baptist.
27 And the king was exceeding sorry; but for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
28 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought; and he went and beheaded him in the prison.
