Acts 9

1But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, approached the high priest.

2He asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women of the Way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3As he journeyed, it happened that he drew near to Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.

4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5He said, “Who are you, Lord?” But he said, “I am Jesus, whom you persecute.”

6But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you must do.

7But the men journeying with him stood speechless, hearing the voice indeed but seeing no one.

8Saul rose from the ground with his eyes open, yet he saw no one; they led him by the hand into Damascus.

9He was blind for three days and neither ate nor drank.

10There was a certain disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He said, "Here I am, Lord."

11The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas for the one named Saul of Tarsus. See, he is praying."

12And he saw in a vision a man named Ananias entering and laying hands on him, so that he might receive sight.

13But Ananias answered, "Lord, I heard from many about this man, how many evil things he did to your saints in Jerusalem."

14And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.

15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of mine to carry my name before nations and kings and the children of Israel.”

16For I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.

17Ananias went and entered the house, placed his hands on him, and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus—who appeared to you on the road by which you came—has sent me, so you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

18Immediately scales fell from his eyes like scales, and he regained his sight; he arose and was baptized.

19And after receiving food, he grew strong. Then he spent some days with the disciples in Damascus.

20And immediately he was proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

21All who heard were astonished and said, "Is this not the one who destroyed in Jerusalem those calling on this name? And he had come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests."

22But Saul grew stronger and stronger, confounding the Jews living in Damascus by proving that this one is the Christ.

23After many days had passed, the Jews plotted together to kill him.

24But Saul learned of their plot, and they kept watch on the gates day and night to kill him.

25But his disciples took him at night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

26When he arrived in Jerusalem, he attempted to associate with the disciples, but they all feared him, not believing that he is a disciple.

27But Barnabas took hold of him and led him to the apostles, and explained to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had spoken boldly in Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28And he was with them, coming in and going out in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

29He spoke and debated with the Hellenists, but they sought to kill him.

30When the brothers found out, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

31So indeed the church throughout all of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and was multiplied.

32Peter went through all those regions and came down also to the saints living in Lydda.

33There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been lying on a mat for eight years and was paralyzed.

34And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you—get up and make your bed yourself.” And immediately he arose.

35All those living in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

36In Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, translated Dorcas. She was full of good works and alms that she performed.

37In those days she became sick and died. After washing her, they laid her in an upper room.

38Since Lydda lay near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him not to hesitate to come to us.

39Peter rose and went with them; upon his arrival they led him into the upper room, where all the widows stood around him weeping and displaying the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.

40Peter sent everyone outside, got down on his knees, and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, sat up.

41Offering her his hand, he raised her up; and calling the saints and the widows, he presented her alive.

42It became known throughout all Joppa, and many trusted in the Lord.

43He stayed many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.