The Conversion of Saul

1Now [†]Saul, still breathing [†]threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3And as he was traveling, it happened that when he was approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4and falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6but rise up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” 7And the men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the [†]voice but seeing no one. 8And Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he [†]could see nothing. Leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11And the Lord said to him, “Rise up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12and he has seen [†]in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” 13But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your [†]saints at Jerusalem. 14And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen [†]instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.” 17So Ananias departed and entered the house. And he laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord sent me—that is Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming—so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he rose up and was baptized; 19and he took food and was strengthened.

Saul Begins to Preach Christ

Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, 20and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, [†]saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21And all those hearing him continued to be astounded, and were saying, “Is this not the one who in Jerusalem destroyed those that called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” 22But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this One is the [†]Christ.

23And when many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to put him to death, 24but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

26And when he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with 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 recounted to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. 28So he was with them, [†]moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29And he was talking and arguing with the [†]Hellenistic Jews, but they were attempting to put him to death. 30But when the brothers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

31So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria was having peace, being built up. And going on in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it continued to multiply.

Peter Heals Aeneas

32Now it happened that as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the [†]saints who lived at [†]Lydda. 33And there he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Rise up and make your bed.” Immediately he rose up. 35And all who lived at [†]Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Peter Raises Tabitha to Life

36Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated is called [†]Dorcas). This woman was full of good works and charity which she continually did. 37And it happened [†]at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. 38Now since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, pleading with him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” 39So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, crying and showing all the [†]tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40But Peter sent them all out and knelt 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 all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43And it happened that he stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.