Chapter 9
1 But Saul , still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord , went to the high priest
2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus , that if he found any who were of the Way , whether men or women , he might bring them bound to Jerusalem .
3 As he travelled, he got close to Damascus , and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him .
4 He fell on the earth , and heard a voice saying to him , " Saul , Saul , why do you persecute me ?"
5 He said , " Who are you , Lord ?" The Lord said , " I am Jesus , whom you are persecuting .
6 But rise up and enter into the city , then you will be told what you must do ."
7 The men who travelled with him stood speechless , hearing the sound , but seeing no one .
8 Saul arose from the ground , and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one . They led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus .
9 He was without sight for three days , and neither ate nor drank .
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision , "Ananias!" He said , " Behold , it ’ s me , Lord ."
11 The Lord said to him , "Arise and go to the street which is called Straight , and enquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul , a man of Tarsus . For behold , he is praying ,
12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him , that he might receive his sight ."
13 But Ananias answered, " Lord , I have heard from many about this man , how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem .
14 Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name ."
15 But the Lord said to him , " Go your way , for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings , and the children of Israel .
16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name ’s sake ."
17 Ananias departed and entered into the house . Laying his hands on him , he said , "Brother Saul , the Lord , who appeared to you on the road by which you came , has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit ."
18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes , and he received his sight . He arose and was baptised.
19 He took food and was strengthened . Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus .
20 Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God .
21 All who heard him were amazed , and said , "Isn’ t this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name ? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!"
22 But Saul increased more in strength , and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus , proving that this is the Christ .
23 When many days were fulfilled , the Jews conspired together to kill him ,
24 but their plot became known to Saul . They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him ,
25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall , lowering him in a basket .
26 When Saul had come to Jerusalem , he tried to join himself to the disciples ; but they were all afraid of him , not believing that he was a disciple .
27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way , and that he had spoken to him , and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus .
28 He was with them entering into Jerusalem ,
29 preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus . He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him .
30 When the brothers knew it , they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus .
31 So the assemblies throughout all Judea , Galilee , and Samaria had peace and were built up . They were multiplied , walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit .
32 As Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda .
33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years because he was paralysed.
34 Peter said to him , "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you . Get up and make your bed !" Immediately he arose.
35 All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him , and they turned to the Lord .
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha , which when translated means Dorcas . This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did .
37 In those days , she became sick and died . When they had washed her , they laid her in an upper room .
38 As Lydda was near Joppa , the disciples , hearing that Peter was there , sent two men to him , imploring him not to delay in coming to them .
39 Peter got up and went with them . When he had come , they brought him into the upper room . All the widows stood by him weeping , and showing the tunics and other garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them .
40 Peter sent them all out , and knelt down and prayed . Turning to the body , he said , " Tabitha , get up !" She opened her eyes , and when she saw Peter , she sat up .
41 He gave her his hand and raised her up . Calling the saints and widows , he presented her alive .
42 This became known throughout all Joppa , and many believed in the Lord .
43 He stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon .