Acts 9

Now Saul, still breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

and asked him for letters to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found anyone belonging to the Way, whether men or women, he could bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Now while he was going along, it came to pass that when he drew near to Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shined around him,

and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.

But get up and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

And the men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound of the voice, but seeing no one.

And Saul got up from the ground, but when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing, so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

And for three days he was without sight, and did not eat or drink.

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias, and in a vision the Lord said to him, “Ananias.” And he said, “See, I am here, Lord.”

And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street that is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus, for look, he is praying,

and he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him so that he would receive his sight.”

But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your holy ones at Jerusalem,

and he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name here.”

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a chosen vessel to me, to carry my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the sons of Israel,

for I will show him how many things he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

And Ananias departed and went into the house, and laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you came—so that you can receive your sight and be filled with holy spirit.”

And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. And he got up and was baptized,

and he took food and was strengthened. And for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus.

And immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.

And all who heard him were amazed, and said, “Is this not the one who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name? And has he not come here for this reason: to bring them bound to the chief priests?”

But Saul grew more powerful, and was confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

And when many days had gone by, the Jews plotted together to kill him,

but their plot became known to Saul. And they also watched the gates day and night so that they could kill him,

but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

And when he had come to Jerusalem, he was trying to join the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

And he was with them going in and going out at Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

And he was talking and disputing with the Hellenistic Jews, but they were attempting to put him to death.

And when the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him away to Tarsus.

So 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 encouragement of the holy spirit, it continued to grow in number.

And it came to pass as Peter went throughout all that area, he also came down to the holy ones who lived at Lydda.

And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been laid on his bed for eight years, because he was paralyzed.

And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed.” And immediately he got up.

And all who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is called Dorcas). She was abounding in good works and acts of charity that she did continuously.

And it came to pass in those days that she became sick, and died. And when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.

And since Lydda was close to Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, entreating him, “Do not delay to come to us.”

And Peter got up and went with them. And when he had come, they brought him into the upper room, and all the widows stood by him crying, and showing the tunics and outer clothing that Dorcas made while she was with them.

But Peter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

And he gave her his hand, and raised her up, and calling the holy ones and widows, he presented her alive.

And this became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

And it came to pass, that he remained many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner.