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 travelled, 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 , then you will be told what you must do .”[#9:6 TR omits “But”]

⁷The men who travelled 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 enquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul , a man of Tarsus . For behold , he is praying ,[#9:11 or, Judas]

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 baptised.

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 ,[#9:28 TR and NU add “and going out”]

²⁹preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus . He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him .[#9:29 TR and NU omit “Jesus” and reverse the order of verses 28 & 29.; #9:29 The Hellenists were Hebrews who used Greek language and culture.]

³⁰When the brothers knew it , they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus .[#9:30 The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”]

³¹So the assemblies throughout all Judea , 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 paralysed.

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 .[#9:36 “Dorcas” is Greek for “Gazelle.”]

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 .[#9:38 Reading from NU, TR; MT omits “two men”]

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 tunics and other 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 .

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

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