21  And a holiday being come, when Herod, on his birthday, made a supper to his grandees, and to the chiliarchs, and the chief men of Galilee; 22  and the daughter of the same Herodias having come in, and danced, pleased Herod and those that were with him at table; and the king said to the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt and I will give it thee. 23  And he swore to her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask me I will give thee, to half of my kingdom. 24  And she went out, and said to her mother, What should I ask? And she said, The head of John the baptist. 25  And immediately going in with haste to the king, she asked saying, I desire that thou give me directly upon a dish the head of John the baptist. 26  And the king, while made very sorry, on account of the oaths and those lying at table with him would not break his word with her. 27  And immediately the king, having sent one of the guard, ordered his head to be brought. And he went out and beheaded him in the prison, 28  and brought his head upon a dish, and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother.