Mark 6:20-32

²⁰For Herod was in fear of John, being conscious that he was an upright and holy man, and kept him safe. And hearing him, he was much troubled; and he gave ear to him gladly.

²¹And the chance came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee;

²²And when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and did a dance, Herod and those who were at table with him were pleased with her; and the king said to the girl, Make a request for anything and I will give it you.

²³And he took an oath, saying to her, Whatever is your desire I will give it to you, even half of my kingdom.

²⁴And she went out and said to her mother, What is my request to be? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

²⁵And she came in quickly to the king, and said, My desire is that you give me straight away on a plate the head of John the Baptist.

²⁶And the king was very sad; but because of his oaths, and those who were with him at table, he would not say 'No' to her.

²⁷And straight away the king sent out one of his armed men, and gave him an order to come back with the head: and he went and took off John's head in prison,

²⁸And came back with the head on a plate, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.

²⁹And when his disciples had news of it, they came and took up his body, and put it in its last resting-place.

³⁰And the twelve came together to Jesus; and they gave him an account of all the things they had done, and all they had been teaching.

³¹And he said to them, Come away by yourselves to a quiet place, and take a rest for a time. Because there were a great number coming and going, and they had no time even for food.

³²And they went away in the boat to a waste place by themselves.