Acts 9
The Conversion of Saul
9:1 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing out threats1 to murder2 the Lord’s disciples, went to the high priest 9:2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues3 in Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way,4 either men or women, he could bring them as prisoners5 to Jerusalem.6 9:3 As he was going along, approaching7 Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed8 around him. 9:4 He9 fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul,10 why are you persecuting me?”11 9:5 So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” He replied, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting! 9:6 But stand up12 and enter the city and you will be told13 what you must do.” 9:7 (Now the men14 who were traveling with him stood there speechless,15 because they heard the voice but saw no one.)16 9:8 So Saul got up from the ground, but although his eyes were open,17 he could see nothing.18 Leading him by the hand, his companions19 brought him into Damascus. 9:9 For20 three days he could not see, and he neither ate nor drank anything.21
9:10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The22 Lord23 said to him in a vision, “Ananias,” and he replied, “Here I am,24 Lord.” 9:11 Then the Lord told him, “Get up and go to the street called ‘Straight,’25 and at Judas’ house look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. For he is praying, 9:12 and he has seen in a vision26 a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him so that he may see again.” 9:13 But Ananias replied,27 “Lord, I have heard from many people28 about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, 9:14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison29 all who call on your name!”30 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument31 to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel.32 9:16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”33 9:17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, placed34 his hands on Saul35 and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came here,36 has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”37 9:18 Immediately38 something like scales39 fell from his eyes, and he could see again. He40 got up and was baptized, 9:19 and after taking some food, his strength returned.
For several days41 he was with the disciples in Damascus, 9:20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues,42 saying, “This man is the Son of God.”43 9:21 All44 who heard him were amazed and were saying, “Is this not45 the man who in Jerusalem was ravaging46 those who call on this name, and who had come here to bring them as prisoners47 to the chief priests?” 9:22 But Saul became more and more capable,48 and was causing consternation49 among the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving50 that Jesus51 is the Christ.52
Saul’s Escape from Damascus
9:23 Now after some days had passed, the Jews plotted53 together to kill him, 9:24 but Saul learned of their plot against him.54 They were also watching55 the city gates56 day and night so that they could kill him. 9:25 But his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening57 in the wall by lowering him in a basket.58
Saul Returns to Jerusalem
9:26 When he arrived in Jerusalem,59 he attempted to associate60 with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they did not believe61 that he was a disciple. 9:27 But Barnabas took62 Saul,63 brought64 him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, that65 the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly66 in the name of Jesus. 9:28 So he was staying with them, associating openly with them67 in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 9:29 He was speaking and debating68 with the Greek-speaking Jews,69 but they were trying to kill him. 9:30 When the brothers found out about this, they brought him down to Caesarea70 and sent him away to Tarsus.
9:31 Then71 the church throughout Judea, Galilee,72 and Samaria experienced73 peace and thus was strengthened.74 Living75 in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, the church76 increased in numbers.
Peter Heals Aeneas
9:32 Now77 as Peter was traveling around from place to place,78 he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda.79 9:33 He found there a man named Aeneas who had been confined to a mattress for eight years because80 he was paralyzed. 9:34 Peter81 said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ82 heals you. Get up and make your own bed!”83 And immediately he got up. 9:35 All84 those who lived in Lydda85 and Sharon86 saw him, and they87 turned88 to the Lord.
Peter Raises Dorcas
9:36 Now in Joppa89 there was a disciple named Tabitha (which in translation means90 Dorcas).91 She was continually doing good deeds and acts of charity.92 9:37 At that time93 she became sick94 and died. When they had washed95 her body,96 they placed it in an upstairs room. 9:38 Because Lydda97 was near Joppa, when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Come to us without delay.”98 9:39 So Peter got up and went with them, and99 when he arrived100 they brought him to the upper room. All101 the widows stood beside him, crying and showing him102 the tunics103 and other clothing104 Dorcas used to make105 while she was with them. 9:40 But Peter sent them all outside,106 knelt down,107 and prayed. Turning108 to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.109 9:41 He gave110 her his hand and helped her get up. Then he called111 the saints and widows and presented her alive. 9:42 This became known throughout all112 Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.113 9:43 So114 Peter115 stayed many days in Joppa with a man named116 Simon, a tanner.117