Acts — Chapter 9

1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest

2and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

3As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

4He fell to the ground and heard a voice 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.”

7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice but did not see anyone.

8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could not see a thing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.

9For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything.

10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Here I am, Lord,” he answered.

11“Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.

12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.

14And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.”

15“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.

16I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”

17So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “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.”

18At that instant, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and his sight was restored. He got up and was baptized,

19and after taking some food, he regained his strength. And he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

20Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.”

21All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”

22But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

23After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him,

24but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him.

25One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.

26When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

27Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how Saul had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had spoken boldly in that city in the name of Jesus.

28So Saul stayed with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

29He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.

30When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.

32As Peter traveled throughout the area, he went to visit the saints in Lydda.

33There he found a man named Aeneas who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years.

34“Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and put away your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up,

35and all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

36In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas), who was always occupied with works of kindness and charity.

37At that time, however, she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upper room.

38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to urge him, “Come to us without delay.”

39So Peter got up and went with them. On his arrival, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood around him, weeping and showing him the tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.

41Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her to them alive.

42This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

43And Peter stayed for several days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.

1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2And 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.

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

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

5And 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.

6And 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.

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

8And 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.

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

10And 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.

11And 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,

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

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

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

15But 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:

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

17And 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.

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

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

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

21But 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?

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

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

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

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

26And 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.

27But 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.

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

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

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

31Then 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.

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

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

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

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

36Now 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.

37And 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.

38And 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.

39Then 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.

40But 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.

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

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

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

1But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven:

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

5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he [said], I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:

6but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man.

8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

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

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

11And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth;

12and he hath seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.

13But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem:

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

15But 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:

16for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name`s sake.

17And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

18And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized;

19and he took food and was strengthened. And he was certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus.

20And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.

21And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havoc of them that called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests.

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

23And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him:

24but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him:

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

26And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

27But 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 at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

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

29preaching boldly in the name of the Lord: and he spake and disputed against the Grecian Jews; but they were seeking to kill him.

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

31So the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.

32And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all parts, he came down also to the saints that dwelt at Lydda.

33And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied.

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

35And all that dwelt at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36Now 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.

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

38And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, entreating him, Delay not to come on unto us.

39And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

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

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

42And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord.

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

1Meanwhile Saul, still breathing out threats to murder the Lord’s disciples, went to the high priest

2and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, either men or women, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

3As he was going along, approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

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

5So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” He replied, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting!

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

7(Now the men who were traveling with him stood there speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one.)

8So Saul got up from the ground, but although his eyes were open, he could see nothing. Leading him by the hand, his companions brought him into Damascus.

9For three days he could not see, and he neither ate nor drank anything.

10Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias,” and he replied, “Here I am, Lord.”

11Then the Lord told him, “Get up and go to the street called ‘Straight,’ and at Judas’ house look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. For he is praying,

12and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him so that he may see again.”

13But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem,

14and here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call on your name!”

15But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel.

16For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

17So Ananias departed and entered the house, placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

18Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

19and after taking some food, his strength returned.For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus,

20and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This man is the Son of God.”

21All who heard him were amazed and were saying, “Is this not the man who in Jerusalem was ravaging those who call on this name, and who had come here to bring them as prisoners to the chief priests?”

22But Saul became more and more capable, and was causing consternation among the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

23Now after some days had passed, the Jews plotted together to kill him,

24but Saul learned of their plot against him. They were also watching the city gates day and night so that they could kill him.

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

26When he arrived in Jerusalem, he attempted to associate with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him because they did not believe that he was a disciple.

27But Barnabas took Saul, brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.

28So he was staying with them, associating openly with them in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.

29He was speaking and debating with the Greek-speaking Jews, but they were trying to kill him.

30When the brothers found out about this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced peace and thus was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, the church increased in numbers.

32Now as Peter was traveling around from place to place, he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda.

33He found there a man named Aeneas who had been confined to a mattress for eight years because he was paralyzed.

34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Get up and make your own bed!” And immediately he got up.

35All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which in translation means Dorcas). She was continually doing good deeds and acts of charity.

37At that time she became sick and died. When they had washed her body, they placed it in an upstairs room.

38Because Lydda was near Joppa, when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Come to us without delay.”

39So Peter got up and went with them, and when he arrived they brought him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him, crying and showing him the tunics and other clothing Dorcas used to make while she was with them.

40But Peter sent them all outside, knelt down, and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

41He gave her his hand and helped her get up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive.

42This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

43So Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a man named Simon, a tanner.

1But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

2and 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.

3As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.

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

5He said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

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

7The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one.

8Saul 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.

9He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.

10Now 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.”

11The Lord said to him, “Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying,

12and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”

13But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.

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

15But 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.

16For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

17Ananias 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.”

18Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.

19He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.

20Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.

21All 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!”

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

23When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him,

24but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,

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

26When 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.

27But 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.

28He was with them entering into Jerusalem,

29preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him.

30When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.

31So the assemblies throughout all Judea and 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.

32As Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.

33There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed.

34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” Immediately he arose.

35All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36Now 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.

37In those days, she became sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.

38As 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.

39Peter 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 coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

40Peter 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.

41He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

42And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

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