Acts Chapter 9 Back Next{9:1} But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the
disciples of the Lord, went to the
high priest,
{9:2} 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.
{9:3} As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
{9:4} He fell on the
earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
{9:5} He said, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am
Jesus, whom you are persecuting.[
Note]
{9:6}
But rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
{9:7} The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one.
{9:8} 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.
{9:9} He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
{9:10} 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."
{9:11} The Lord said to him, "Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of
Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying,
{9:12} 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."
{9:13} But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.
{9:14} Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who
call on your name."
{9:15} 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.
{9:16} For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake."
{9:17} 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."
{9:18} Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was
baptized.
{9:19} He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.
{9:20} Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the
Christ, that he is the Son of God.
{9:21} 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!"
{9:22} But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the
Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
{9:23} When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him,
{9:24} but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the
gates both day and night that they might kill him,
{9:25} but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a
basket.
{9:26} 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.
{9:27} 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.
{9:28} He was with them
entering into Jerusalem,
{9:29} preaching boldly in the name of the Lord
JesusJesus.[<35] He spoke and disputed against the
Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him.
{9:30} When the
brothers knew it, they brought him down to
Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.
{9:31} 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.
{9:32} It happened, as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at
Lydda.
{9:33} There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed.
{9:34} Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!" Immediately he arose.
{9:35} All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
{9:36} Now there was at
Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means
Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.
{9:37} It happened in those days that she fell sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
{9:38} As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men [
Note] to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
{9:39} Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the
coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
{9:40} 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.
{9:41} He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
{9:42} And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
{9:43} It happened, that he stayed many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner.
Acts Chapter 9 Back Next