< Acts 9 >
1 But Saul, still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, having come to the high priest,
2 asked from him letters to Damascus against the synagogues, in order that if he should find any being of the way, both men and women, he might lead them bound to Jerusalem.
3 And it came to pass, while prosecuting the journey he drew near to Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shone around him;
4 and falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord?
5 And He said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
6 But stand up, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what it behooves thee to do.
7 And the men journeying along with him stood speechless, indeed hearing the voice, but seeing no one.
8 And Saul arose from the ground; and his eyes being open, he saw nothing: but leading him by the hand, they led him into Damascus;
9 and he was three days not seeing, neither did he eat nor drink.
10 And there was a certain disciple in Damascus, Ananias by name; and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said to him, Arising, go to the street which is called Straight, and seek a Tarsean, by name Saul, in the house of Judas; for, behold, he is praying,
12 and he saw a man, Ananias by name, coming in, and putting his hands on him, in order that he may look up.
13 And Ananias responded, Lord I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints in Jerusalem:
14 and he here has authority from the chief priests to bind all those calling on thy name.
15 And the Lord said to him, Go: because he is a vessel of election to me, to bear my name both before the Gentiles, and kings, and sons of Israel:
16 for I will show him how many things it behooves him to suffer for my name's sake.
17 And Ananias departed, and came into the house: and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, Jesus, that appeared to you in the way in which thou didst come, hath sent me, that thou mayest look up, and he filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as scales: and he looked up; and having stood up, was baptized,
19 and having received food, he was strengthened. And he was with the disciples who were in Damascus some days;
20 and immediately he was preaching Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
21 And all those hearing were astonished, and continued to say, Is not this the one laying waste those calling on this name in Jerusalem? and has come hither for this, that he may lead them bound to the chief priests.
22 And Saul continued to be the more filled up with dynamite, and he was confounding the Jews dwelling in Damascus, proving that Jesus is the Christ.
23 And when many days were being filled up, the Jews issued a verdict to kill him:
24 but their plot was made known to Saul. And they were keeping the gates both day and night in order that they might kill him:
25 and his disciples taking him, let him down through the wall in the night, lowering him in a basket.
26 And arriving in Jerusalem, he was endeavoring to join himself to the disciples: and all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas taking him, led him to the apostles, and related to them how he saw the Lord on the way, and that He spoke to him, and how he preached boldly in Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28 And he was with them going in and coming out in Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord;
29 and he was speaking and arguing against the Hellenists, and they undertook to kill him.
30 And the brethren, taking cognizance, led him to Caesarea, and sent him away to Tarsus.
31 Then indeed the church had peace throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, being edified and progressing in the fear of the Lord; and was being multiplied by the exhortation of the Holy Ghost.
32 And it came to pass, that Peter going through all parts, came down also to the saints living at Lydda.
33 And he found there a certain man, by name Eneas, lying on a bed eight years, who was paralyzed.
34 And Peter said to him, Eneas, Jesus Christ heals thee: arise, and take up thy bed: and immediately he arose.
35 And all those dwelling at Lydda and Sharon, whosoever saw him, turned to the Lord.
36 But there was a certain disciple in Joppa, by name Tabitha, who being interpreted is called Dorcas: and she was full of good works and alms which she was doing.
37 And it came to pass during those days, she being sick, died: and washing her, they placed her in an upper chamber.
38 And Lydda being near to Joppa, the disciples hearing that Peter is in it, sent two men to him, entreating him, Do not delay to come unto us.
39 And Peter rising up came along with them; whom, on arrival, they led to the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing him the chitoons and himations, so many as Dorcas made, while with them.
40 And Peter having put them all out, and putting down his knees, prayed; and having turned toward the body, said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and seeing Peter sat up.
41 And having given her his hand, he raised her up, and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed on the Lord.
43 And it came to pass, that he remained some days in Joppa, with one Simon a tanner.
