Acts 9
1 But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
But meanwhile Saul was making violent threats against the disciples of the Lord, wanting to kill them. He went to the high priest
2 and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
and asked for letters of authorization to take with him to the synagogues in Damascus, giving him permission to arrest any believers in the Way that he found, men or women, and bring them back to Jerusalem as prisoners.
3 And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven:
As Saul approached Damascus, suddenly he was surrounded by a light that blazed down from heaven.
4 and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
He fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he [said], I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, the one you're persecuting,” he replied.
6 but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
“Get up, go on into the city, and you'll be told what to do.”
7 And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man.
The men who were traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice speaking, but they didn't see anyone.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
Saul got to his feet, and when he opened his eyes, he couldn't see anything. His companions took him by the hand and led him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.
For three days he couldn't see, and he didn't eat or drink anything.
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I [am here], Lord.
A follower of Jesus called Ananias lived in Damascus, and the Lord spoke to him in a vision. “Ananias!” he called. “I'm here, Lord,” Ananias responded.
11 And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth;
“Get up, and go to Straight Street,” the Lord told him. “Ask at Judas' house for someone called Saul, from Tarsus. He's praying.
12 and he hath seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.
He's seen in vision a man called Ananias come and place his hands on him so he can regain his sight.”
13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem:
“But Lord,” Ananias replied, “I've heard a lot about this man—about all the evil things he did to the believers in Jerusalem.
14 and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name.
The chief priests have given him the power to arrest everyone here that worships and follows you.”
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel:
But the Lord told him, “Get on your way, because he is the person I have chosen to take my name to foreigners and kings, as well as to Israel.
16 for I will shew him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
I will show him what he'll have to suffer for my name's sake.”
17 And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
So Ananias left and went to the house. He placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “The Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were traveling here, has sent me so you can regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized;
Immediately, something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. He got up and was baptized.
19 and he took food and was strengthened. And he was certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
He also had something to eat and felt stronger. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
20 And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.
He immediately started speaking in the synagogues, saying, “Jesus is the Son of God.”
21 And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havock of them which called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests.
All who heard him were amazed, and asked, “Isn't this the man who caused so much trouble in Jerusalem for those who believed in Jesus? Wasn't he coming here to have the believers arrested and taken in chains to the chief priests?”
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
Saul grew more and more confident, proving Jesus was the Messiah so convincingly that the Jews who lived in Damascus could not refute him.
23 And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him:
Some time later the Jews plotted together to kill him,
24 but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him:
but Saul learned of their intentions. Day and night they waited by the city gates looking for the chance to murder him.
25 but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
So during the night his followers took him and lowered him down in a basket from an opening in the city wall.
26 And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him because they were not convinced he was really a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto 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.
However, Barnabas took him to meet the apostles, and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. Barnabas also explained how in Damascus Saul had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.
28 And he was with them going in and going out at Jerusalem,
Saul stayed with the apostles and accompanied them all over Jerusalem,
29 preaching boldly in the name of the Lord: and he spake and disputed against the Grecian Jews; but they went about to kill him.
speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to kill him.
30 And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
When the brothers learned of this they took him to Caesarea, and sent him to Tarsus.
31 So the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, was multiplied.
During this time the whole church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was left in peace. The church grew strong and increased rapidly in numbers as the believers lived reverently for the Lord, encouraged by the Holy Spirit.
32 And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all parts, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
Peter was traveling around and went to visit the believers who lived in Lydda.
33 And there he found a certain man named AEneas, which had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied.
There he met a man called Aeneas who was paralyzed and had been confined to his bed for eight years.
34 And Peter said unto him, AEneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise, and make thy bed. And straightway he arose.
Peter told him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and pick up your mat!” Immediately Aeneas got up.
35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Everyone living in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and became believers in the Lord.
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
In Joppa lived a follower called Tabitha, (Dorcas in Greek). She was always doing good and helping the poor.
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.
However, about this time she became sick, and died. After washing her body, they laid her out in an upstairs room.
38 And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, entreating him, Delay not to come on unto us.
Lydda was near Joppa, so the disciples in Joppa, hearing that Peter was in Lydda, sent two men to him with the message, “Please come to us right away.”
39 And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
So Peter got ready and left with them. When he arrived they took him upstairs. All the widows were there crying, and they showed him the coats and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was 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 when she saw Peter, she sat up.
Peter told them all to leave, kneeled down, and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
He took her by the hand and lifted her up. He called in the believers and the widows, and presented her to them alive.
42 And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord.
The news spread through the whole of Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
43 And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
Peter spent a long time in Joppa, staying at the house of Simon the tanner.
