Acts 9
1 Ref But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
2 Ref 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 Ref As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
4 Ref He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
5 Ref He said, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.{TR adds "It's hard for you to kick against the goads."}
6 Ref But{TR omits "But" } rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
7 Ref The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one.
8 Ref 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 Ref He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
10 Ref 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 Ref The Lord said to 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 is praying,
12 Ref 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 Ref But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.
14 Ref Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name."
15 Ref 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 Ref For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake."
17 Ref 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 Ref Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.
19 Ref He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.
20 Ref Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
21 Ref 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 Ref But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
23 Ref When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him,
24 Ref but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,
25 Ref but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
26 Ref 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 Ref But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to 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.
28 Ref He was with them entering into{TR and NU add "and going out"} Jerusalem,
29 Ref preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. He spoke and disputed against the Grecian Jews, but they were seeking to kill him.
30 Ref When the brothers{The word for "brothers" here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Ref So 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.
32 Ref It happened, as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
33 Ref There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed.
34 Ref Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!" Immediately he arose.
35 Ref All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36 Ref Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas.{"Dorcas" is Greek for "Gazelle."} This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.
37 Ref It happened in those days that she fell sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 Ref As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men{Reading from NU, TR; MT omits "two men"} to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
39 Ref Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
40 Ref Peter put them all out, and kneeled 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 Ref He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
42 Ref And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
43 Ref It happened, that he stayed many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner.