< Acts 9 >
1 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the talmidim of the Lord, went to the cohen hagadol,
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.
3 As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
4 And he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
5 And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Yeshua, whom you are persecuting.
6 But rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one.
8 Saul arose from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could not see anything. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
10 Now there was a certain talmid at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Look, it's me, Lord."
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 look, he is praying,
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."
13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your kadoshim at Jerusalem.
14 Here he has authority from the chief cohanim to bind all who call on your name."
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.
16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake."
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 Ruach ha-Kodesh."
18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was immersed.
19 He took food and was strengthened. He stayed several days with the talmidim who were at Damascus.
20 Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed Yeshua, that he is the Son of God.
21 All who heard him were amazed, and said, "Is not 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 cohanim."
22 But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Messiah.
23 When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him,
24 but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,
25 but his talmidim took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
26 When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the talmidim; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a talmid.
27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the emissaries, 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 Yeshua.
28 He was with them coming in and going out in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
29 He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him.
30 When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 So the congregation throughout all Judea and Galil and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Ruach ha-Kodesh.
32 It happened, as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the kadoshim who lived at Lydda.
33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed.
34 Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Yeshua the Messiah heals you. Get up and make your bed." Immediately he arose.
35 All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain talmid named Tabitha (which when translated, means Dorcas). This woman was full of good works and tzedakah which she did.
37 It happened in those days that she fell sick, and died. When they had washed her, they placed her in an upper chamber.
38 As Lydda was near Joppa, the talmidim, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to us.
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.
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.
41 He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the kadoshim and widows, he presented her alive.
42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
43 It happened, that he stayed many days in Joppa with one Shim'on, a tanner.
