Acts 9
1 Meanwhile, Saul angrily continued to say, “I will kill those who believe that [Jesus is] the Lord!” He went to the supreme priest [in Jerusalem]
But Saul still breathing out threats and murder toward the disciples of the Lord, having gone to the high priest,
2 and requested him [to write] letters [introducing him] to [the leaders of] [MTY] the Jewish meeting places in Damascus [city. The letters asked them to authorize Saul] to seize any men or women who followed the way [that Jesus had taught], and to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem [so that the Jewish leaders could judge and punish them].
requested from him letters in Damascus to the synagogues, so that if any he shall find of the way being men both and women, bound he may bring [them] to Jerusalem.
3 Saul took those letters, and while he [and those with him] traveled toward Damascus, as they were approaching the city, suddenly a [brilliant] light from heaven shone around Saul.
In now proceeding it came to pass [as] he [is] drawing near to Damascus, suddenly (also *N(k)O*) him flashed around a light (from *N(k)O*) heaven;
4 [Immediately] he fell down to the ground. Then he heard the voice [of the Lord] say to him, “Saul, Saul, (stop causing me to suffer!/why are you causing me to suffer?) [RHQ]”
And having fallen on the ground he heard a voice saying to him; Saul Saul, why Me do you persecute?
5 Saul asked him, “Lord, who are you?” He replied, “I am Jesus, [and] you [(sg)] are causing me to suffer [by hurting my followers]!
He said then; Who are You, Lord? And [He said] (Lord said: *k*) I myself am Jesus whom you yourself are persecuting (hard to you to stingers to kick; *K*)
6 Now instead [of continuing to do that], stand up and go into the city! [Someone there] will tell you [(sg)] what I [want] you to do.”
(they tremble then and were astonished he said Lord what me you desire to do and the Lord [said] to him *K*) (But *NO*) do rise up and do enter into the city, and it will be told you (that *N(o)*) (what *NK(o)*) you it behooves to do.
7 The men who were traveling with Saul [became so frightened that they] could not say anything. [They just] stood there. They only heard the sound [when the Lord spoke], but they did not see anyone.
And the men those traveling with him had stood speechless, hearing indeed the voice, no one however seeing.
8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could not see anything. So the men [with him] took him by the hand and led him into Damascus.
Rose up then (*k*) Saul from the ground, opened (however *NK(o)*) the eyes of him (no [thing] *N(k)O*) he was seeing; Leading by the hand then him they brought [him] to Damascus.
9 For the next three days Saul could not see [anything], and he did not eat or drink anything.
And he was days three without seeing and neither did he eat nor drink.
10 In Damascus there was [a Jew] named Ananias who believed in Jesus. While [Ananias was seeing] a vision, the Lord [Jesus] said to him, “Ananias!” He replied, “Lord, I [am listening].”
There was now a certain disciple in Damascus named Ananias, And said to him in a vision the Lord; Ananias. And he said; Behold me myself, Lord.
11 The Lord Jesus told him, “Go to Straight Street to the house that belongs to Judas. Ask [someone there if you(sg) can talk to] a man named Saul from Tarsus [city], because, surprisingly, at this moment he is praying [to me].
And the Lord to him [said]; (Having risen up *NK(o)*) do go into the street which is being called Straight and do seek in [the] house of Judas Saul named of Tarsus; Behold for he is praying
12 [Saul has seen] a vision in which a man named Ananias entered [the house where he was staying] and put his hands on him in order that he might see again.”
and he saw a man in a vision Ananias named having come and having put on him (the *no*) (hands, *N(K)O*) so that he may see again.
13 But Ananias [protested], saying, “But Lord, many people have told me about this man! He has done many evil things to the people in Jerusalem who [believe in] you!
Answered but (*k*) Ananias; Lord, (I have heard *N(k)O*) from many concerning man this, how many evils to the saints of You he did in Jerusalem;
14 And the chief priests have authorized him to come here [to Damascus] in order to seize all of us who believe in you [(sg)] [MTY] [and take us to Jerusalem]!”
and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all those calling on the name of You.
15 But the Lord [Jesus] told Ananias, “Go to [Saul! Do what I say], because I have chosen him to serve me in order that he might speak about me [MTY] both to non-Jewish people and [their] kings and to the Israeli people.
Said however to him the Lord; do go, for a vessel of choice is to Me this [man] to carry the name of Me before (the *o*) Gentiles (and *no*) also kings [the] sons then of Israel.
16 I myself will tell him that he must often suffer greatly because of [telling people about] me [MTY].”
I myself for will show to him how much it behooves him for the name of Me to suffer.
17 So Ananias went, and [after he found] the house [where Saul was], he entered it. Then, [as soon as he met Saul], he put his hands on him, and he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus [himself] commanded me to come [to you]. He is the [same] one who appeared to you [(sg)] while you were traveling along the road. [He sent me to you] in order that you might see again and that you might be completely controlled by the Holy Spirit {that the Holy Spirit might completely control you}.”
Went away then Ananias and entered into the house, and having laid upon him the hands he said; Saul Brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus the [One] having appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, that you may see again and you may be filled [of the] Spirit Holy.
18 Instantly, things like [fish] scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he was able to see again. Then he stood up and was baptized {[Ananias] baptized him} [immediately].
And immediately fell of him from the eyes (as *N(k)O*) scales, he regained his sight also (immediately *K*) And having risen up he was baptized,
19 After Saul ate some food, he felt strong again. Saul stayed with the [other] believers in Damascus for several days.
and having taken food (he strengthened. *NK(o)*) He was now (Saul *k*) with those in Damascus [the] disciple, s days [for] some;
20 Right away Saul began to preach [to people about Jesus] in the Jewish meeting places [in Damascus. He told them] that Jesus is (the Son of/the man who is also) God.
And immediately in the synagogues he was proclaiming (Jesus, *N(K)O*) that He is the Son of God.
21 And all the people who heard him [preach] were amazed. [Various ones of] them were saying, “([We(inc) can hardly believe that] this is the [same man] who persecuted the believers in Jerusalem!/Is this really the [same man] who persecuted the believers in Jerusalem?) [RHQ, MTY] And we [(inc)] know that he has [RHQ] come here to seize us and take us to the chief priests [in Jerusalem]!”
Were amazed then all those hearing and were saying; Surely this is the [one] having caused havoc (in *N(k)O*) Jerusalem those calling on name this? And here for this he had come that bound them he may bring to the chief priests.
22 But [God] enabled Saul [to preach to many people even] more convincingly. He was proving [from the Scriptures] that Jesus is the Messiah. So the Jewish leaders in Damascus could not think of anything (to refute [what he said/to prove that what he said was not true]).
Saul however all the more was empowered and was confounding the Jews those dwelling in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
23 Some time later, [after Saul had left Damascus and then returned], the Jewish [leaders] [SYN] [there] plotted to kill him.
When now were passed days many, plotted together the Jews to execute him;
24 [During each] day and night those Jews were continually watching [the people passing through] the city gates, in order that [when they saw Saul] they might kill him. However, someone told Saul what they planned to do.
became known however to Saul the plot of them. (They were themselves watching now *N(k)O*) (also *no*) the gates by day and also night, so that him they may execute;
25 So some of those whom he had helped [to believe in Jesus] took him [one] night [to the high stone wall that surrounded the city]. They [used ropes to] lower him in a [large] basket through an opening in the wall. [So he escaped from Damascus].
having taken however the disciples (of him *NO*) by night through the wall they let down him having lowered [him] in a basket.
26 When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he began trying to associate with other believers. However, [almost] all of them continued to be afraid of him, because they did not believe that he had become a believer.
Having arrived then (Saul *k*) (in *NK(o)*) Jerusalem (he was trying *N(k)O*) to join to the disciples; And all were afraid of him not believing that he is a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He explained to the apostles how, [while Saul was traveling] along the road [to Damascus], he had seen the Lord [Jesus] and how the Lord had spoken to him [there. He] also told them how Saul had preached boldly about Jesus [MTY] [to people] in Damascus. [The apostles believed Barnabas and told the other believers about that].
Barnabas however having taken him he brought [him] to the apostles and he related to them how on the road he had seen the Lord and that He had spoken to him and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.
28 So Saul began to associate with the apostles [and other believers] throughout Jerusalem, and he spoke boldly [to people] about [MTY] the Lord [Jesus].
And he was with them coming in and going out (in *N(k)O*) Jerusalem,
29 Saul was [also] speaking [about Jesus] with Jews who spoke Greek, and he was debating with them. But they were continually trying [to think] ([of a way] to kill him/of [how they could] kill him).
(and *k*) speaking boldly in the name of the Lord (Jesus, *K*) He was speaking also and he was debating with the Hellenists; but they were seeking to execute him.
30 When the [other] believers heard that [those Jews were planning to kill him, some of] the believers took Saul down to Caesarea [city. There] they arranged for him to go [by ship] to Tarsus, [his hometown].
Having known [it] however the brothers brought down him to Caesarea and sent away him to Tarsus.
31 So the groups of believers throughout [the entire regions of] Judea, Galilee, and Samaria lived peacefully [because no one was persecuting them any more]. The Holy Spirit was strengthening them [spiritually] and encouraging them. They were continuing to revere/honor the Lord [Jesus, and the Holy Spirit] was enabling many other people [to become believers].
(the *N(k)O*) indeed then (church *N(K)O*) throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria (had *N(k)O*) peace, (being edified *N(k)O*) and (going on *N(k)O*) in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit (it were multiplied. *N(k)O*)
32 While Peter was traveling throughout those [regions, once] he went to [the coastal plain to visit] the believers [who lived] in Lydda [town].
It came to pass that now Peter passing through all [quarters] descending also to the saints those inhabiting Lydda.
33 There he met a man whose name was Aeneas. Aeneas had not been able to get up from [his] bed for eight years, because he was paralyzed.
He found then there a man certain named Aeneas for years eight lying on (a bed *N(k)O*) who was paralyzed.
34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you [(sg) right now]! Get up and roll up your mat!” Right away Aeneas stood up.
And said to him Peter; Aeneas, heals you Jesus (*k*) Christ; do rise up and do make the bed for yourself. And immediately he rose up;
35 Most of the people who lived in Lydda and on Sharon [Plain] saw Aeneas [after the Lord had healed him], so they believed in the Lord [Jesus].
And saw him all those inhabiting Lydda and (Sharon, *NK(o)*) who turned to the Lord.
36 In Joppa [town] there was a believer whose name was Tabitha. [Her name] in the [Greek] language was Dorcas. [Both of these names mean gazelle/deer/antelope]. That woman was continually doing good deeds [for others. Specifically], she was helping poor people [by giving them things that they needed].
In Joppa now certain there was a disciple named Tabitha, which being translated is called Dorcas; She was full of works good and of alms that she was doing;
37 During the time [that Peter was in Lydda], she became sick and died. [Some women there] washed her body [according to the Jewish custom so that the people could bury it]. Then they [covered her body with cloth and] placed it in an upstairs room [in her house].
It came to pass however in the days those [that] having become sick she to die; Having washed [her] then put [her] they in an upper room.
38 Lydda was near Joppa, so when the believers heard that Peter was [still] in Lydda, they sent two men to [go] to Peter. [When they arrived where Peter was], they repeatedly urged/begged him, “Please come immediately with us [to Joppa]!”
Near now being Lydda to Joppa the disciples having heard that Peter is in it, sent two men to him imploring; Not (you may delay *N(k)O*) coming to (us. *N(K)O*)
39 So [right away] Peter got ready and went with them. When they arrived [at the house in Joppa], the two men took Peter to the upstairs room [where Dorcas’ body was lying]. All the widows [there] around Peter. They were crying and showing him the cloaks and [other] garments that Dorcas had made for people while she was still alive.
Having risen up then Peter went with them; who having arrived they brought [him] into the upper room, And stood by him all the widows weeping and showing [the] tunics and garments how much was making with them being Dorcas.
40 But Peter sent them all out of the room. Then he got down on his knees and prayed. Then, turning toward Tabitha’s body, he said, “Tabitha, stand up!” [Immediately] she opened her eyes and, when she saw Peter, she sat up.
Having put then outside all Peter and having bowed the knees he prayed; And having turned to the body he said; Tabitha, do arise. And she opened the eyes of her and having seen Peter she sat up.
41 He grasped one of her hands and helped her to stand up. After he had summoned the believers and [especially] the widows [among them to come back in], he showed them that Tabitha was alive [again].
Having given then to her [his] hand he raised up her; Having called then the saints and the widows he presented her living.
42 [Soon] people everywhere in Joppa knew about that miracle, and as a result many people believed in the Lord [Jesus].
Known then it became throughout all of Joppa, and believed many on the Lord.
43 Peter stayed in Joppa many days with a man named Simon who made leather [from animal skins].
It came to pass then days many staying (he *ko*) in Joppa with a certain Simon a tanner.
