¹⁸ For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful [under Mosaic Law] for you to have your brother’s wife.”^{(A) 19} Herodias had a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not, ²⁰ because Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he continually kept him safe. When he heard John [speak], he was very perplexed; but he enjoyed listening to him.