1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.9And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.10And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.11And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,12And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.13Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:14And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:16For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.18And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.19And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.20And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.21But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?22But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.23And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:24But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.25Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.26And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.27But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.28And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.29And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.30Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.31Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.32And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.33And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.34And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.35And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.37And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.38And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.39Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.40But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.41And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.42And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.43And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
Acts 9
English Standard Version
The Conversion of Saul
1But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest (Ps 27:12; Ac 8:3; Ac 9:13; Ac 9:21; Ac 22:5; Ac 26:10)2and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. (Isa 30:21; Isa 35:8; Am 8:14; Lu 12:11; Lu 21:12; Ac 16:17; Ac 18:25; Ac 19:9; Ac 19:23; Ac 22:4; Ac 22:19; Ac 24:14; Ac 24:22)3Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. (Ac 22:6; Ac 26:12; 1Co 15:8)4And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Isa 63:9; Zec 2:8)5And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. (Ac 9:4)6But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” (Eze 3:22; Ac 9:16; 1Co 9:16; Ga 1:1)7The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. (Da 10:7; Joh 12:29; Ac 22:9)8Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. (Ac 22:11)9And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.10Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” (Ge 22:1; Isa 6:8; Ac 22:12)11And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, (Ac 21:39; Ac 22:3)12and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” (Mr 5:23; Ac 9:17)13But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. (Ac 9:1; Ro 15:25; Ro 15:31; 1Th 3:13; 2Th 1:10)14And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” (Ac 7:59; Ac 9:21; Ac 22:16; Ro 10:13; 1Co 1:2; 2Ti 2:22)15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. (Ac 13:2; Ac 25:22; Ac 26:1; Ac 26:32; Ro 1:1; Ro 1:5; Ro 11:13; Ro 15:16; Ga 1:15; Ga 1:16; Ga 2:2; Ga 2:7; Eph 3:7; 1Ti 2:7; 2Ti 4:16; 2Ti 4:17)16For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” (Ac 5:41; Ac 9:6; Ac 14:22; Ac 20:23; Ac 21:4; Ac 21:11; 2Co 6:4; 2Co 11:23; 1Th 3:3)17So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Ac 2:4; Ac 9:12; Ac 22:12)18And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; (Ac 22:13; Ac 22:16)
Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues
19and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. (Ac 9:9; Ac 26:20)20And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” (Ac 9:22)21And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” (Ac 9:13; Ga 1:13; Ga 1:23)22But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. (Ac 9:20; Ac 18:28; 1Ti 1:12)
Saul Escapes from Damascus
23When many days had passed, the Jews[1] plotted to kill him, (Ga 1:17)24but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, (Ac 20:3; Ac 20:19; Ac 23:12; Ac 23:30; Ac 25:3; 2Co 11:32)25but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall,[2] lowering him in a basket. (Jos 2:15; 1Sa 19:12; 2Co 11:33)
Saul in Jerusalem
26And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. (Ac 22:17; Ac 26:20)27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. (Ac 4:29; Ac 4:36; Ac 9:3; Ac 9:19; Ac 9:22; Ga 1:18)28So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. (Ac 1:21)29And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists.[3] But they were seeking to kill him. (Ac 6:1; Ac 22:18)30And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. (Joh 21:23; Ac 11:25; Ga 1:21)31So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. (Ne 5:9; Ac 8:1; Ac 9:35; Ac 9:42; Ac 16:5)
The Healing of Aeneas
32Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. (Ac 8:25)33There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed.34And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. (Ac 3:6)35And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. (1Ch 5:16; 1Ch 27:29; So 2:1; Ac 9:31; Ac 9:42; Ac 11:21; 2Co 3:16)
Dorcas Restored to Life
36Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas.[4] She was full of good works and acts of charity. (Jos 19:46; 1Ti 2:10)37In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. (Ac 1:13; Ac 9:39; Ac 20:8)38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” (Nu 22:16)39So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics[5] and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. (Ac 9:37)40But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. (Mt 9:25; Mr 5:41; Joh 11:43; Ac 7:60)41And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.42And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. (Joh 11:45; Joh 12:11)43And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner. (Ac 10:6)