Acts 9
The Conversion of Saul
1 But Saul a still b breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to c the high priest 2 and asked him for letters d to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to e the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 f Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting g me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus h whom you are persecuting. 6 But i rise and enter the city, and you will be told j what you are to do.” 7 k The men who were traveling with him stood speechless l hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened m he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named n Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said o “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man p of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and q lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man r how much evil he has done to s your t saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from u the chief priests to bind all who v call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for w he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name x before the Gentiles and y kings and the children of Israel. 16 For z I will show him how much aa he must suffer ab for the sake of my name.” 17 So ac Ananias departed and entered the house. And ad laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and ae be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and af he regained his sight. Then ag he rose and was baptized; 19 and ah taking food, he was strengthened.Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues
For ai some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying aj “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who ak made havoc al in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul am increased all the more in strength, and an confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving ao that Jesus was the Christ.Saul Escapes from Damascus
23 ap When many days had passed, the Jews ▼
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The Greek word Ioudaioi refers specifically here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time
plotted to kill him, 24 but their ar plot became known to Saul. as They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and at let him down through an opening in the wall
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Greek through the wall
lowering him in a basket. Saul in Jerusalem
26 And av when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But aw Barnabas took him and ax brought him to the apostles and declared to them ay how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and az how at Damascus he had ba preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went bb in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against bc the Hellenists. ▼
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That is, Greek-speaking Jews
But be they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when bf the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off bg to Tarsus. 31 So bh the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And bi walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit bj it multiplied. The Healing of Aeneas
32 Now bk as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas bl Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 bm And all the residents of Lydda and bn Sharon saw him, and bo they turned to the Lord.Dorcas Restored to Life
36 Now there was in bp Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. ▼ She was full of br good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in bs an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, bt “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to bu the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics ▼
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Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin
and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter bw put them all outside, and bx knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body by he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and bz many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days ca with one Simon, a tanner.
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