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Jesus meets with Saul

9 All this time, Saul was still speaking strongly against the disciples of the Lord Jesus. He wanted to kill all the believers. So he went to see the most important priest in Jerusalem. 2 Saul asked him, ‘Please will you write some letters for me? [ a ] Then I can give one of these letters to the leader of each Jewish group in Damascus. [ b ] That will give me authority to take hold of any believers that I find there.’

Saul wanted to find anyone who agreed with the Way of the Lord Jesus. [ c ] Then he would tie them and bring them back to Jerusalem, whether they were men or they were women. 3 He travelled towards Damascus. He was very near the city when a bright light suddenly appeared. The light came from the sky, and it shone all around him. 4 Saul fell down onto the ground. He heard a voice which said to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you fight against me?’

5 Saul asked, ‘Lord, who are you?’ He said, ‘I am Jesus. And you are fighting against me. 6 Now you must get up and go into the city. Someone there will tell you what you must do.’

7 The men who were travelling with Saul stood still. They could not say anything. They could hear that someone was speaking. But they could not see anyone. 8 Saul stood up. He opened his eyes, but he could not see anything. So the men who were with Saul held his hand. They led him into Damascus. 9 For three days, Saul could not see anything. During that time, he did not eat any food or drink anything.

10 There was a believer who lived in Damascus. His name was Ananias. God gave him a message in a vision. The Lord Jesus said to him, ‘Ananias!’ Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I am here.’

11 Jesus said to Ananias, ‘Prepare yourself and go to Straight Street. A man called Judas lives on that street. Go to his house. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus who is called Saul. He is praying to God. 12 He has had a message from God in a vision. In his vision, he saw a man who is called Ananias come to him. He saw you put your hands on him so that he could see again.’

13 Ananias replied, ‘Lord, many people have told me about this man. He has done very bad things to your own people, the believers in Jerusalem. 14 Now he has come here to Damascus, and he has brought letters with him from the leaders of the priests. They have given him authority, so that he will take hold of everyone who believes in you. He will tie them and put them in prison.’

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go now to Saul! I have chosen him to work for me. He will go to those who are not Jews and to their rulers. He will tell them about me. He will also tell the people of Israel about me. 16 I myself will tell him about the many troubles that he will have. He will have much pain on my behalf.’

17 So Ananias went to Judas's house and he went inside. He put his hands on Saul and he said to him, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus himself has sent me here to you. [ d ] It was Jesus that you saw on the road when you were coming here to Damascus. He has sent me to you so that you will be able to see again. God will also fill you with his Holy Spirit.’

18 When Ananias said that, immediately something like bits of fish skin fell from Saul's eyes. Then Saul could see again. So he stood up and Ananias baptized him. 19 Then Saul ate some food and he became strong again.

Saul teaches people about Jesus

Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. 20 He immediately went to the Jewish meeting places and he taught people about Jesus. He told them that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All the people who heard what Saul said were very surprised. They said to each other, ‘This is the same man who caused much pain to the believers in Jerusalem. We are sure it is him! Now he has come here to Damascus to take hold of the believers and take them away to Jerusalem. He wants to make them stand in front of the leaders of the priests.’

22 But Saul became even more powerful when he taught the people. He showed very clearly that Jesus is God's Messiah. So the Jews who lived there in Damascus could not answer him.

23 After many days, the Jews met together. They decided that they would kill Saul. 24 But someone told Saul about this. The Jews carefully watched the gates of the city all day and all night. They wanted to catch Saul and to kill him. 25 But one night, Saul's friends helped him to leave the city secretly. They put him in a basket. Then they put him through a hole in the city wall. Then they let the basket go slowly down to the ground outside the city. [ e ]

Saul returns to Jerusalem

26 Saul returned to Jerusalem. He wanted to join the group of believers there. But they were all afraid of him. They did not believe that he had really become a disciple of Jesus. 27 But one of the believers who was called Barnabas helped Saul. He took Saul to meet the apostles. Barnabas then explained to the apostles what had happened to Saul. Barnabas said to them, ‘Saul saw the Lord when he was on his way to Damascus. The Lord spoke to him there. Then, while Saul was in Damascus, he bravely told people the message about Jesus.’

28 After that, Saul stayed with the apostles. He went everywhere in Jerusalem and he bravely taught people the message about the Lord Jesus. 29 Saul also talked with the Jews who spoke the Greek language. [ f ] He argued with them about Jesus. As a result, they wanted to kill him.

30 The other believers heard about this. So they took Saul away to Caesarea. From there, they sent him to Tarsus.

31 By this time there were believers everywhere in Judea, Galilee and Samaria. For some time they had no troubles. The Holy Spirit helped them to become strong. So more people became believers, and they obeyed God in everything that they did.

Peter travels to Lydda and Joppa

32 Peter often travelled to many different places. One day he travelled to Lydda, and he went to see the believers there. 33 In Lydda, he met a man called Aeneas. Aeneas could not move his arms or his legs. He lay on his mat all the time. He had been on his mat for eight years.

34 Peter said to Aeneas, ‘Jesus Christ now makes you well again! So stand up and put away your mat.’ Immediately Aeneas stood up. 35 Many people who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw Aeneas. They saw that he was now well and they believed in the Lord Jesus.

36 There was a woman called Tabitha who lived in Joppa. [ g ] She was a believer. In the Greek language, her name was Dorcas, which means ‘deer’. [ h ] She was always doing good things to help people. She gave poor people the things that they needed.

37 Dorcas became very ill and then she died. Women washed her body and they put it in a room upstairs. 38 Joppa was not very far from Lydda. The believers in Joppa heard that Peter was in Lydda. So they sent two men to go and to tell him, ‘Please hurry and come to Joppa.’

39 Peter then returned to Joppa with the two men. When he arrived at Dorcas's house, some women took him upstairs. Many widows were there and they were crying. They all stood there, near to Peter. They showed him the shirts and coats that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent all these women out of the room. He went down on his knees and he prayed to God. Then he turned his head towards the dead woman and he said, ‘Tabitha, stand up!’ She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 Peter held her hand and he helped her to stand up. Then he told the widows and all the believers to come into the room. He showed them that Dorcas was alive again.

42 People everywhere in Joppa heard what had happened. As a result, many more people believed in the Lord Jesus. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for many days. He stayed with a man called Simon, who was a tanner. [ i ]

Footnotes

  1. 9:2 Saul needed letters from the most important priest. Then he would have authority. He could catch any believers that he found.
  2. 9:2 Damascus was an important city and it was about 240 kilometres from Jerusalem. It was in Syria and many Jews lived there. Damascus was one of the ten towns that the Romans did not rule. These ten towns had their own rulers.
  3. 9:2 People called the early Christians ‘Those who followed the Way of the Lord’.
  4. 9:17 Brother is a name that a Christian may call another Christian.
  5. 9:25 Paul's friends tied a rope to the basket and they held the rope. Then they let the basket go down to the ground.
  6. 9:29 Saul could speak the Greek language. Most people in that part of the world spoke Greek.
  7. 9:36 Joppa was a town 45 kilometres from Jerusalem. At that time, it was an important sea port in Judea. Joppa was about 20 kilometres from Lydda.
  8. 9:36 Tabitha was her name in the Aramaic language. Most Jews spoke the Aramaic language. They might also speak the Hebrew language. Greek is the language that people spoke in Greece, but a lot of people in other countries also spoke it.
  9. 9:43 A ‘tanner’ is someone who works with animal skins to make leather.

Saul Becomes a Follower of Jesus

9 In Jerusalem Saul was still trying to scare the followers of the Lord, even saying he would kill them. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him to write letters to the synagogues in the city of Damascus. Saul wanted the high priest to give him the authority to find people in Damascus who were followers of the Way. If he found any believers there, men or women, he would arrest them and bring them back to Jerusalem.

3 So Saul went to Damascus. When he came near the city, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shined around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

5 Saul said, “Who are you, Lord?”

The voice answered, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 6 Get up now and go into the city. Someone there will tell you what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul just stood there, unable to speak. They heard the voice, but they saw no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes, but he could not see. So the men with him held his hand and led him into Damascus. 9 For three days, Saul could not see; he did not eat or drink.

10 There was a follower of Jesus in Damascus named Ananias. In a vision the Lord said to him, “Ananias!”

Ananias answered, “Here I am, Lord.”

11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight Street. Find the house of Judas [ a ] and ask for a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus. He is there now, praying. 12 He has seen a vision in which a man named Ananias came and laid his hands on him so that he could see again.”

13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man. They told me about the many bad things he did to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 Now he has come here to Damascus. The leading priests have given him the power to arrest all people who trust in you. [ b ] ”

15 But the Lord Jesus said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen Saul for an important work. I want him to tell other nations, their rulers, and the people of Israel about me. 16 I will show him all that he must suffer for me.”

17 So Ananias left and went to the house of Judas. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord Jesus sent me. He is the one you saw on the road when you came here. He sent me so that you can see again and also be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something that looked like fish scales fell off Saul’s eyes. He was able to see! Then he got up and was baptized. 19 After he ate, he began to feel strong again.

Saul Begins to Tell About Jesus

Saul stayed with the followers of Jesus in Damascus for a few days. 20 Soon he began to go to the synagogues and tell people about Jesus. He told the people, “Jesus is the Son of God!”

21 All the people who heard Saul were amazed. They said, “This is the same man who was in Jerusalem trying to destroy the people who trust in Jesus [ c ] ! And that’s why he has come here—to arrest the followers of Jesus and take them back to the leading priests.”

22 But Saul became more and more powerful in proving that Jesus is the Messiah. His proofs were so strong that the Jews who lived in Damascus could not argue with him.

Saul Escapes From Some Jews

23 After many days, some Jews made plans to kill Saul. 24 They were watching the city gates day and night. They wanted to kill Saul, but he learned about their plan. 25 One night some followers that Saul had taught helped him leave the city. They put him in a basket and lowered it down through a hole in the city wall.

Saul in Jerusalem

26 Then Saul went to Jerusalem. He tried to join the group of followers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe that he was really a follower of Jesus. 27 But Barnabas accepted Saul and took him to the apostles. He told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. Then he told them how boldly Saul had spoken for the Lord in Damascus.

28 And so Saul stayed with the followers and went all around Jerusalem speaking boldly for the Lord. 29 He often had arguments with the Greek-speaking Jews, who began making plans to kill him. 30 When the believers learned about this, they took Saul to Caesarea, and from there they sent him to the city of Tarsus.

31 The church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had a time of peace. And with the help of the Holy Spirit, these groups of believers became stronger in faith and showed their respect for the Lord by the way they lived. So the church everywhere grew in numbers.

Peter in Lydda and Joppa

32 Peter was traveling through all the areas around Jerusalem, and he stopped to visit the believers [ d ] who lived in Lydda. 33 There he met a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had not been able to get out of bed for the past eight years. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” He stood up immediately. 35 All the people living in Lydda and on the plain of Sharon saw him, and they decided to follow the Lord.

36 In the city of Joppa there was a follower of Jesus named Tabitha. Her Greek name, Dorcas, means “a deer.” She was always doing good things for people and giving money to those in need. 37 While Peter was in Lydda, Tabitha became sick and died. They washed her body and put it in an upstairs room. 38 The followers in Joppa heard that Peter was in Lydda, which was not far away. So they sent two men, who begged him, “Hurry, please come quickly!”

39 Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. All the widows stood around him. They were crying and showing him the coats and other clothes that Tabitha had made during her time with them. 40 Peter sent all the people out of the room. He knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to Tabitha’s body and said, “Tabitha, stand up!” She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. Then he called the believers and the widows into the room. He showed them Tabitha; she was alive!

42 People everywhere in Joppa learned about this, and many believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for many days at the home of a man named Simon, who was a leatherworker.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:11 Judas This is not either of the apostles named Judas.
  2. Acts 9:14 who trust in you Literally, “who call on your name,” meaning to show faith in Jesus by worshiping him or praying to him for help.
  3. Acts 9:21 who trust in Jesus Literally, “who call on this name.”
  4. Acts 9:32 believers Literally, “holy ones,” a name for people who believe in Jesus. Also in verse 41.

9 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

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:

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was 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 he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to 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.

37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

39 Then Peter arose and went with them. 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.

40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

The Conversion of Saul

9 ( A ) Now [ a ] Saul, still ( B ) breathing [ b ] threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for ( C ) letters from him to ( D ) the synagogues in ( E ) Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to [ c ] ( F ) the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them in shackles to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and ( G ) suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and ( H ) he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said , “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and ( I ) it will be told to you what you must do.” 7 The men who traveled with him ( J ) stood speechless, ( K ) hearing the [ d ] voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and ( L ) though his eyes were open, he [ e ] could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into ( M ) Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple in ( N ) Damascus named ( O ) Ananias; and the Lord said to him in ( P ) a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from ( Q ) Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 12 and he has seen [ f ] in a vision a man named Ananias come in and ( R ) lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, ( S ) how much harm he did to ( T ) Your [ g ] saints in Jerusalem; 14 and here he ( U ) has authority from the chief priests to [ h ] arrest all who ( V ) call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for ( W ) he is a chosen [ i ] instrument of Mine, to bear My name before ( X ) the Gentiles and ( Y ) kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for ( Z ) I will show him how much he must suffer in behalf of My name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after ( AA ) laying his hands on him said, “ ( AB ) Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be ( AC ) filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like fish scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened.

Saul Begins to Preach Christ

Now ( AD ) for several days he was with ( AE ) the disciples who were in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus ( AF ) in the synagogues, [ j ] saying, “He is ( AG ) the Son of God.” 21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not the one who in Jerusalem ( AH ) destroyed those who ( AI ) called on this name, and had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the [ k ] Christ.

23 When ( AJ ) many days had elapsed, ( AK ) the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24 but ( AL ) their plot became known to Saul. ( AM ) They were also closely watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25 but his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

26 ( AN ) When he came to Jerusalem, he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him, as they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But ( AO ) Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had ( AP ) seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how ( AQ ) he had ( AR ) spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus at Damascus. 28 And he was with them, [ l ] moving about freely in Jerusalem, ( AS ) speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the [ m ] ( AT ) Hellenistic Jews ; but they were attempting to put him to death. 30 Now when ( AU ) the [ n ] brothers learned of it , they brought him down to ( AV ) Caesarea and ( AW ) sent him away to ( AX ) Tarsus.

31 So ( AY ) the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria [ o ] enjoyed peace, as it was being built up; and as it [ p ] continued in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it kept increasing.

Peter’s Ministry

32 Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions , he also came down to ( AZ ) the [ q ] saints who lived at [ r ] ( BA ) Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas who had been bedridden for eight years, [ s ] because he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your own bed.” Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at [ t ] ( BB ) Lydda and ( BC ) Sharon saw him, and they ( BD ) turned to the Lord.

36 Now in ( BE ) Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which when translated means [ u ] Dorcas); this woman was [ v ] excelling in acts of kindness and charity which she did habitually . 37 But it happened [ w ] at that time that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body , they laid it in an ( BF ) upstairs room. 38 Since Lydda was near ( BG ) Joppa, ( BH ) the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” 39 So Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the ( BI ) room upstairs; and all the ( BJ ) widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the [ x ] tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40 But Peter ( BK ) sent them all out and ( BL ) knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “ ( BM ) 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; and calling ( BN ) the [ y ] saints and ( BO ) widows, he presented her alive. 42 It became known all over ( BP ) Joppa, and ( BQ ) many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed in ( BR ) Joppa many days with ( BS ) a tanner named Simon.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:1 Later called Paul
  2. Acts 9:1 Lit threat
  3. Acts 9:2 See John 14:6
  4. Acts 9:7 Or sound
  5. Acts 9:8 Lit was seeing
  6. Acts 9:12 A few early mss do not contain in a vision
  7. Acts 9:13 Lit holy ones ; i.e., God’s people
  8. Acts 9:14 Lit bind
  9. Acts 9:15 Or vessel
  10. Acts 9:20 Lit that
  11. Acts 9:22 I.e., Messiah
  12. Acts 9:28 Lit going in and going out
  13. Acts 9:29 Jews who adopted the Gr language and much of Gr culture through acculturation
  14. Acts 9:30 I.e., disciples
  15. Acts 9:31 Lit was having
  16. Acts 9:31 Lit went
  17. Acts 9:32 Lit holy ones ; i.e., God’s people
  18. Acts 9:32 OT: Lod
  19. Acts 9:33 Lit who was
  20. Acts 9:35 OT: Lod
  21. Acts 9:36 I.e., Gr for Gazelle
  22. Acts 9:36 Lit full of
  23. Acts 9:37 Lit in those days
  24. Acts 9:39 A long shirt worn next to the skin
  25. Acts 9:41 Lit holy ones ; i.e., God’s people

Saul’s Conversion ( A )

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. ( B ) He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, ( C ) so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, ( D ) whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ( E ) 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice ( F ) say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” ( G )

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound ( H ) but did not see anyone. ( I ) 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. ( J ) So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, ( K ) “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus ( L ) named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on ( M ) him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people ( N ) in Jerusalem. ( O ) 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests ( P ) to arrest all who call on your name.” ( Q )

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument ( R ) to proclaim my name to the Gentiles ( S ) and their kings ( T ) and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” ( U )

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on ( V ) Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ( W ) 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, ( X ) 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples ( Y ) in Damascus. ( Z ) 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues ( AA ) that Jesus is the Son of God. ( AB ) 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? ( AC ) And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” ( AD ) 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. ( AE )

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, ( AF ) 24 but Saul learned of their plan. ( AG ) Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. ( AH )

26 When he came to Jerusalem, ( AI ) he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas ( AJ ) took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, ( AK ) and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. ( AL ) 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, [ a ] ( AM ) but they tried to kill him. ( AN ) 30 When the believers ( AO ) learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea ( AP ) and sent him off to Tarsus. ( AQ )

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria ( AR ) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. ( AS )

Aeneas and Dorcas

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people ( AT ) who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. ( AU ) Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon ( AV ) saw him and turned to the Lord. ( AW )

36 In Joppa ( AX ) there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good ( AY ) and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. ( AZ ) 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples ( BA ) heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows ( BB ) stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room; ( BC ) then he got down on his knees ( BD ) and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” ( BE ) She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. ( BF ) 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. ( BG )

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:29 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture
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