Acts 9
1 But Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
Now Saul, whose every breath was a threat of destruction for the disciples of the Lord,
2 and asked of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any who were of this way of belief, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
went to the High Priest and begged from him letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, in order that if he found any believers there, either men or women, he might bring them in chains to Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus; and suddenly there shone around a him a light from heaven;
But on the journey, as he was getting near Damascus, suddenly there flashed round him a light from Heaven;
4 and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
and falling to the ground he heard a voice which said to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he answered, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
"Who art thou, Lord?" he asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," was the reply.
6 But arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
"But rise and go to the city, and you will be told what you are to do.
7 And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one.
Meanwhile the men who travelled with Saul were standing dumb with amazement, hearing a sound, but seeing no one.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; but when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
Then he rose from the ground, but when he had opened his eyes, he could not see, and they led him by the arm and brought him to Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
And for two days he remained without sight, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias, and to him the Lord said in a vision, Ananias! And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
Now in Damascus there was a disciple of the name of Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, saying, "Ananias!" "I am here, Lord," he answered.
11 And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go into the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus; for lo! he prayeth,
"Rise," said the Lord, "and go to Straight Street, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man called Saul, from Tarsus, for he is actually praying.
12 and hath seen a man, named Ananias, coming in and putting his hand on him, that he might receive sight.
He has seen a man called Ananias come and lay his hands upon him so that he may recover his sight."
13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how great evils he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem.
"Lord," answered Ananias, "I have heard about that man from many, and I have heard of the great mischief he has done to Thy people in Jerusalem;
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
and here he is authorized by the High Priests to arrest all who call upon Thy name."
15 But the Lord said to him, Go; for this man is to me a chosen vessel, to bear my name before nations, and kings, and the sons of Israel.
"Go," replied the Lord; "he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name to the Gentiles and to kings and to the descendants of Israel.
16 For I myself will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
For I will let him know the great sufferings which he must pass through for My sake."
17 And Ananias went away, and entered the house; and putting his hands on him, he said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus who appeared to thee in the way thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayst receive sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
So Ananias went and entered the house; and, laying his two hands upon Saul, said, "Saul, brother, the Lord--even Jesus who appeared to you on your journey--has sent me, that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
18 And immediately there fell off from his eyes as it were scales; and he received sight, and arose, and was baptized.
Instantly there dropped from his eyes what seemed to be scales, and he could see once more. Upon this he rose and received baptism;
19 And having taken some food he was strengthened. And he was some days with the disciples in Damascus.
after which he took food and regained his strength. Then he remained some little time with the disciples in Damascus.
20 And immediately he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
And in the synagogues he began at once to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God;
21 And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that destroyed in Jerusalem those who called on this name? And he hath come hither for this purpose, that he may bring them bound to the chief priests.
and his hearers were all amazed, and began to ask one another, "Is not this the man who in Jerusalem tried to exterminate those who called upon that Name, and came here on purpose to carry them off in chains to the High Priests?"
22 But Saul gained still more strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
Saul, however, gained more and more influence, and as for the Jews living in Damascus, he bewildered them with his proofs that Jesus is the Christ.
23 But after many days had passed, the Jews took counsel together to kill him;
At length the Jews plotted to kill Saul;
24 but their plot became known to Saul; and they were even watching the gates day and night to kill him.
but information of their intention was given to him. They even watched the gates, day and night, in order to murder him;
25 But his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a hamper.
26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join himself to the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
So he came to Jerusalem and made several attempts to associate with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, being in doubt as to whether he himself was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that he had spoken to him, and hew he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Barnabas, however, came to his assistance. He brought Saul to the Apostles, and related to them how, on his journey, he had seen the Lord, and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had fearlessly taught in the name of Jesus.
28 And he was with them going in and out at Jerusalem,
Henceforth Saul was one of them, going in and out of the city,
29 speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. And he often spoke and disputed with the Hellenists; but they were endeavoring to slay him.
and speaking fearlessly in the name of the Lord. And he often talked with the Hellenists and had discussions with them.
30 But the brethren obtaining knowledge of it, brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
But they kept trying to take his life. On learning this, the brethren brought him down to Caesarea, and then sent him by sea to Tarsus.
31 The church therefore throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being built up, and walking in the fear of the Lord; and by the exhortation of the Holy Spirit it was greatly increased.
The Church, however, throughout the whole of Judaea, Galilee and Samaria, had peace and was spiritually built up; and grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and receiving encouragement from the Holy Spirit.
32 And it came to pass, that as Peter went through the whole country, he came down also to the saints who dwelt at Lydda.
Now Peter, as he went to town after town, came down also to God's people at Lud.
33 And there he found a certain man named AEneas, who had lain on a bed eight years, and was palsied.
There he found a man of the name of Aeneas, who for eight years had kept his bed, through being paralysed.
34 And Peter said to him, AEneas, Jesus the Christ healeth thee; arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you. Rise and make your own bed." He at once rose to his feet.
35 And all that dwelt in Lydda and Sharon saw him; and they turned to the Lord.
And all the people of Lud and Sharon saw him; and they turned to the Lord.
36 Now at Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which name being interpreted is the same as Dorcas, that is, Gazelle. This woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did.
Among the disciples at Jaffa was a woman called Tabitha, or, as the name may be translated, 'Dorcas.' Her life was wholly devoted to the good and charitable actions which she was constantly doing.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.
But, as it happened, just at that time she was taken ill and died. After washing her body they laid it out in a room upstairs.
38 And as Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent to him two men with the entreaty, Do not delay to come to us.
Lud, however, being near Jaffa, the disciples, who had heard that Peter was at Lud, sent two men to him with an urgent request that he would come across to them without delay.
39 Then Peter arose, and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber; and all the widows came to him weeping, and showing the coats and cloaks which Dorcas made while she was with them.
So Peter rose and went with them. On his arrival they took him upstairs, and the widow women all came and stood by his side, weeping and showing him the underclothing and cloaks and garments of all kinds which Dorcas used to make while she was still with them.
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and seeing Peter, she sat up.
Peter, however, putting every one out of the room, knelt down and prayed, and then turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, rise." Dorcas at once opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and the widows, he presented her alive.
Then, giving her his hand, he raised her to her feet and, calling to him God's people and the widows, he gave her back to them alive.
42 And it became known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
This incident became known throughout Jaffa, and many believed in the Lord;
43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner.
and Peter remained for a considerable time at Jaffa, staying at the house of a man called Simon, a tanner.
