Acts 9

1 But Saul, still breathing threat and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the chief priest 2 and asked him for letters to Damascus, to the synagogues, so that if he found any who were of the Way, men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. [a] 3 And as he traveled, it happened that he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light out of heaven flashed around him; 4 and falling on the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” [b] † 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But get up and go into the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”

7 And the men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. [c] 8 And Saul was raised from the ground; but when his eyes were opened he could see nothing. And leading him by the hand they brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he could not see, and he did not eat or drink.

10 Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and look in the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul; for look — he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so that he might see again.” 13 And Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem; [d] 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is a chosen vessel of mine, to carry my name before nations and kings and the children of Israel; [e] 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17 And Ananias went off and went into the house, and laying his hands on him he said, “Saul, brother, the Lord has sent me — Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were coming by — so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he saw again; and he got up and was immersed, [f] 19 and taking food he grew strong. And he was with the disciples in Damascus some days,

20 And immediately he was proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues — that this man is the Son of God. 21 And all who heard were astounded and said, “Is this not the man who laid waste in Jerusalem those who call on this name, and who had come here for this, to bring them bound to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul grew all the stronger, and threw into confusion the Jews living in Damascus, proving that this man is the Christ.

23 And when a good many days had been filled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him; 24 but their plot became known to Saul. And they were watching the gates too, day and night, so that they could kill him; 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket. [g]

26 And when he came to Jerusalem he tried to join himself to the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, not trusting that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles, and told them how on the road he had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken openly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them, going in and going out in Jerusalem, speaking openly in the name of the Lord; 29 and he spoke and disputed with the Greek-speakers, but they set about killing him. [h] 30 And when the brothers found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 So the gathering throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being built up; and going forward in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it was multiplied. [i]

32 Now it happened that Peter, going through all of them, came down also to the holy ones living at Lydda. 33 And he found there a man named Aeneas who for eight years had been lying on a mat, and who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your own bed.” And immediately he got up. [j] 35 And all who lived at Lydda and the Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, which translated is called Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of mercy that she did. [k] 37 And it happened in those days that she grew sick and died; and they washed her and laid her in an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was in it, sent two men to him, urging him, “Do not hold back from coming through to us.” 39 And Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived they brought him up to the upper room, and all the widows stood by him weeping and showing the tunics and garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.

40 But Peter put them all outside, and putting his knees down he prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, get up.” And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. [l] 41 And giving her his hand he raised her up; and calling the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many trusted on the Lord. 43 And it happened that he stayed a good many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.