Mark 6:7-25

⁷And he gave orders to the twelve, and sent them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits;

⁸And he said that they were to take nothing for their journey, but a stick only; no bread, no bag, no money in their pockets;

⁹They were to go with common shoes on their feet, and not to take two coats.

¹⁰And he said to them, Wherever you go into a house, make that your resting-place till you go away.

¹¹And whatever place will not take you in and will not give ear to you, when you go away, put off the dust from your feet as a witness against them.

¹²And they went out, preaching the need for a change of heart in men.

¹³And they sent out a number of evil spirits, and put oil on a great number who were ill, and made them well.

¹⁴And king Herod had news of him, because his name was on the lips of all; and he said, John the Baptist has come back from the dead, and for this reason these powers are working in him.

¹⁵But others said, It is Elijah. And others said, It is a prophet, even like one of the prophets.

¹⁶But Herod, when he had news of it, said, John, whom I put to death, has come back from the dead.

¹⁷For Herod himself had sent men out to take John and put him in prison, because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had taken for himself.

¹⁸For John said to Herod, It is wrong for you to have your brother's wife.

¹⁹And Herodias was bitter against him, desiring to put him to death; but she was not able;

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.