The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 9
{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.[1] {9:6}
[2>]But[<2] 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 [3>]Judah[<3] 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
[4>]entering into[<4] Jerusalem, {9:29} preaching boldly in the name
of the Lord [5>]Jesus.[<5] He spoke and disputed against the
[6>]Hellenists,[<6] but they were seeking to kill him. {9:30} When the
[7>]brothers[<7] 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 [8>]Dorcas.[<8] 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 chamber. {9:38} As Lydda was near Joppa, the
disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent [9>]two men[<9] 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
chamber. 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.
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Footnotes:
[1] {9:5} TR adds "It's hard for you to kick against the goads."
[2] {9:6} TR omits "But"
[3] {9:11} or, Judas
[4] {9:28} TR and NU add "and going out"
[5] {9:29} TR and NU omit "Jesus" and reverse the order of verses 28 &
29.
[6] {9:29} The Hellenists were Hebrews who used Greek language and
culture.
[7] {9:30} The word for "brothers" here and where the context allows
may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
[8] {9:36} "Dorcas" is Greek for "Gazelle."
[9] {9:38} Reading from NU, TR; MT omits "two men"
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