Acts 9

 

1 And Saul, still breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord (Jesus), went to the high priest,

 

2 And requested letters from him to (send) the synagogues in Damascus, (stating) that if he found any (followers) of this way, whether they were men or women, (that) he might (have authority to) bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 And as he went, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

5 And he said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: it is hard (and grievous) for you to kick against the pricks (even resisting the divine impulse of your heart).

6 And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what will you have me to do? And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go into the city, and it will be told to you what you must do.

7 And the men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, (but) he saw no man: but they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did he eat nor drink.

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11 And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go into the street, which is called Straight, and search for the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prays,

12 And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming to him, and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many (things) about this man, how much (harm and) evil he has caused to your saints at Jerusalem:

14 And now he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon Your name.

15 But the Lord said to him, Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel to Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, 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 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you along the way as you came, has sent me, so that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as if there had been scales (on them): and he received sight immediately, and arose, and was baptized (in the name of Jesus Christ).

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then Saul stayed a few days with the disciples in Damascus.

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of (the living) God.

 

21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that destroyed them which called on the name (of the Lord) in Jerusalem, and came here with the intent, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?

 

22 But Saul increased even more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving (through the scriptures) that this is the Christ.

23 And after many days had passed, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

24 But their plot to lie and wait (for him) was known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down by the wall in a basket.

26 And when Saul came to Jerusalem, he attempted to join himself to the disciples, but they were all afraid of him and did not believe 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 along the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28 And he stayed with them (in their) coming in and going out at Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus.

29 And he was speaking and also debating against the Greek-speaking Jews: but they were seeking to kill him.

30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

31 Then the churches had rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria and were edified; and walking in the (reverential) fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and were multiplied.

32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, that he also came down to the saints which dwelled at Lydda.

33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been lying in his bed eight years, who was paralyzed.

34 And Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you whole: arise and make your bed. And immediately he arose.

35 And all that dwelled at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord (calling upon His name).

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, who by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and charity and acts of mercy, which she did.

37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed (her body), they laid her in an upper room.

38 And being as Lydda was near to Joppa, and the disciples heard that Peter was there, and they sent to him two men, desiring him that he would not delay coming to them.

39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was (alive) with them.

40 But Peter put them all outside, knelt down, and prayed; and turning to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

42 And it was made known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord (Jesus).

 

43 And it came to pass that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon the tanner (who converted hides into leather).