Mark 6:18-28

18For John had been saying to Herod, “1It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

19And 2Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death, and could not do so;

20for 3Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he had been protecting him. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; and yet he 4used to enjoy listening to him.

21An opportune day came when Herod, on his birthday, 5held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders, and the leading people 6of Galilee;

22and when the daughter of 7Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and 8his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”

23And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you, up to 9half of my kingdom.”

24And she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”

25Immediately 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.”

26And although the king was very sorry, because of his oaths and 10his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her.

27Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and beheaded him in the prison,

28and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.