19. Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death and could not do so;
20. for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him.
21. A strategic day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his lords and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee;
22. and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you."
23. And he swore to her, "Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom."
24. And she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."
25. Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."
26. And although the king was very sorry, yet because of his oaths and because of his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her.