22. When Herodias’s own daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I’ll give it to you.”
23. So he swore oaths to her: “Whatever you ask me I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
24. Then she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for? ”“John the Baptist’s head! ” she said.
25. Immediately she hurried to the king and said, “I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head on a platter — right now! ”
26. Though the king was deeply distressed, because of his oaths and the guests he did not want to refuse her.