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

^{22 Ref} And 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.

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

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

^{25 Ref} And 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.

^{26 Ref} And 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.

^{27 Ref} And 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,

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

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