[1] But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of
the Lord, went to the high priest [2] and asked him for letters to the
synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men
or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. [3] Now as he journeyed
he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him.
[4] And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul,
why do you persecute me?" [5] And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he
said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; [6] but rise and enter the
city, and you will be told what you are to do." [7] The men who were
traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
[8] Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see
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 Anani'as. The Lord said to him in a
vision, "Anani'as." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." [11] And the Lord said
to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the
house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying,
[12] and he has seen a man named Anani'as come in and lay his hands on him
so that he might regain his sight." [13] But Anani'as answered, "Lord, I
have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy
saints at Jerusalem; [14] and here he has authority from the chief priests
to bind all who call upon thy name." [15] But the Lord said to him, "Go,
for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles
and kings and the sons of Israel; [16] for I will show him how much he must
suffer for the sake of my name." [17] So Anani'as departed and entered the
house. And 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 that you may
regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." [18] And immediately
something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he
rose and was baptized, [19] and took food and was strengthened. For
several days he was with the disciples at Damascus. [20] And in the
synagogues immediately he proclaimed Jesus, saying, "He is the Son of God."
[21] And all who heard him were amazed, and said, "Is not this the man who
made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called on this name? And he has come
here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests." [22]
But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who
lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. [23] When many days
had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, [24] but their plot became known
to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night, to kill him; [25] but
his disciples took him by night and let him down over the wall, lowering
him in a basket. [26] And 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 Barnabas took him, and brought him
to the apostles, and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord,
who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of
Jesus. [28] So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, [29] preaching
boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the
Hellenists; but they were seeking to kill him. [30] And when the brethren
knew it, they brought him down to Caesare'a, and sent him off to Tarsus.
[31] So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Sama'ria had peace
and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of
the Holy Spirit it was multiplied. [32] Now as Peter went here and there
among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. [33]
There he found a man named Aene'as, who had been bedridden for eight years
and was paralyzed. [34] And Peter said to him, "Aene'as, Jesus Christ heals
you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. [35] And all the
residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. [36]
Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She
was full of good works and acts of charity. [37] In those days she fell
sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper
room. [38] Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter
was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without
delay." [39] So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they
took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and
showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with
them. [40] But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then
turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and
when she saw Peter she sat up. [41] And he gave her his hand and lifted her
up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. [42] And it
became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. [43] And
he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.
