1 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the
disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters
from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the
Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he
traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light
from the sky shone around him. 4 He fell on the earth, and heard a voice
saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 He said, “Who are you, Lord?”
The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.*1 6 But*2 rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must
do.”
7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but
seeing no one. 8 Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were
opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into
Damascus. 9 He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor
drank.
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord
said to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”
11 The Lord said to him, “Arise, and go to the street which is called
Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of
Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, 12 and in a vision he has seen a man
named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive
his sight.”
13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how
much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 Here he has authority
from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel
to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.
16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s
sake.”
17 Ananias departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him,
he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which
you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with
the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes,
and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized. 19 He took food and
was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at
Damascus. 20 Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that
he is the Son of God. 21 All who heard him were amazed, and said, “Isn’t
this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he
had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!”
22 But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived
at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ. 23 When many days were
fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him, 24 but their plot
became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they
might kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night, and let him down
through the wall, lowering him in a basket. 26 When Saul had come to
Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all
afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took
him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen
the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he
had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 He was with them entering
into*3 Jerusalem, 29 preaching boldly
in the name of the Lord. He spoke and disputed against the Grecian Jews, but
they were seeking to kill him. 30 When the brothers*4 knew it, they brought him down to
Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus. 31 So the assemblies throughout all
Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were
multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy
Spirit.
32 It happened, as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down
also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man
named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was
paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up
and make your bed!” Immediately he arose. 35 All who lived at Lydda and in
Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when
translated, means Dorcas.*5 This
woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did. 37 It
happened in those days that she fell sick, and died. When they had washed
her, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 As Lydda was near Joppa, the
disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men*6 to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to
them. 39 Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought
him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing
the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
40 Peter put them all out, and kneeled down and prayed. Turning to the
body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw
Peter, she sat up. 41 He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the
saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known
throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 It happened, that
he stayed many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner.
1 TR adds “It’s
hard for you to kick against the goads.” 2 TR omits “But”
3 TR and NU add “and going out” 4 The word for
“brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated
“brothers and sisters” or “siblings.” 5 “Dorcas” is Greek for “Gazelle.” 6 Reading from NU,
TR; MT omits “two men”
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