 1 While he Saul still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, he went to the high priest 2 and requested+ letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus so that if he found any of this way, followers of Christ, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed, he came near Damascus and suddenly a light from heaven shined down on+ him. 4 He fell to the ground 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 persecute. It is hard for you to kick against the pricks~. 6 Trembling and astonished, Saul said: Lord, what will you have me to do? The Lord said to him: Arise and go into the city and it will be told to you what you must do. 7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no one. 8 Saul arose from the ground and when he opened his eyes he saw no one, for he was blind but they led him by the hand and took him to Damascus. 9 He was three days without sight and neither ate nor drank. 10 There was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. In a vision, the Lord said to him: Ananias. And he said: Behold I am here, Lord. 11 The Lord said to him: Arise, and go to the street called Straight and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying there. 12 In a vision, he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him so that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered: Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much evil he has done 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 to him, for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him what great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 17 So, Ananias went away+ and entered the house. Putting his hands on Saul, he said: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the way as you came has sent me so that you might receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 Immediately something like scales fell from Saul's eyes and he received sight immediately+ and arose and was baptized. 19 Then he received some food+ and was strengthened and he remained a few days with the disciples at Damascus. 20 Immediately+ he proclaimed+ Christ in the synagogues, confidently declaring that surely Jesus is the Son of God. 21 But all who heard him were amazed and said: Is this not the one who destroyed those who called on Jesus name in Jerusalem? And did he not come here intending to take them bound to the chief priests? 22 Yet Saul increased all the more in strength and confounded the Jews who lived+ at Damascus, thus proving that this surely is the work of the very Christ. 23 After many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill Saul. 24 Saul knew that they were waiting and that they watched the gates day and night for an opportunity to kill him. 25 So the disciples took Saul by night and let him down by the wall in a basket. 26 When Saul had first come to Jerusalem, he tried+ to join himself to the disciples, but they were all afraid of him and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas brought Saul 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 he had boldly proclaimed+ the name of Jesus in Damascus. 28 He was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29 He spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Greeks, but they went about to slay him. 30 When the brothers knew about this, they brought Saul down to Caesarea and sent him forth to Tarsus. 31 Then the assemblies+ throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria were at rest and edified. Walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied. 32 Now it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came to the saints who lived+ at Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas who had stayed in bed for eight years and was sick with paralysis+. 34 Peter said to him: Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you whole. Arise and make your bed. And he arose immediately. 35 All who lived+ at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. 36 Now at Joppa, there was a certain disciple named Tabitha who was also known+ as Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and alms~ deeds that she did. 37 But it came to pass in those days that she became sick and died. After they washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 Since+ Lydda was near to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him to ask that he come to them without delay. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they took him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping and showing the coats and garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter sent them all out of the room and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body he said: Tabitha, arise. She opened her eyes and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 All this was made known throughout all Joppa and many believed in the Lord. 43 Then it came to pass that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.
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