使徒行传 9
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
扫罗归主
9 扫罗继续用凶狠的话恐吓主的门徒。他去见大祭司， 2 要取得授权书到大马士革的各会堂搜捕信耶稣的人，无论男女，都要把他们押回耶路撒冷。
3 当他快到大马士革的时候，突然有一道光从天上射下来，四面照着他。 4 他倒在地上，听见有声音对他说：“扫罗！扫罗！你为什么迫害我？” 5 他说：“主啊，你是谁？”那声音说：“我就是你所迫害的耶稣。 6 起来！进城去，有人会告诉你该做的事。”
7 同行的人站在那里只听见声音，却看不见人，吓得张口结舌。 8 扫罗爬起来，睁大眼睛，却什么也看不见，同伴拉着他的手进了大马士革。 9 一连三天，扫罗什么也看不见，也不吃也不喝。
10 这时候，在大马士革有个门徒名叫亚拿尼亚，他在异象中听见主呼唤他的名字，就回答说：“主啊，我在这里。”
11 主说：“起来，到直街的犹大家去见一个来自大数、名叫扫罗的人，他正在向我祷告。 12 我让他在异象中看见一个名叫亚拿尼亚的人去他那里，把手按在他身上，使他恢复视力。”
13 亚拿尼亚回答说：“主啊！我听见许多人说他对耶路撒冷的信徒大加迫害。 14 他来这里是得到祭司长的授权，要拘捕所有求告你名的人。”
15 主对亚拿尼亚说：“你放心去吧！他是我拣选的器皿，要向外族人、君王和以色列人宣扬我的名。 16 我会让他知道他必为我的名而受许多的苦。”
17 亚拿尼亚去了，进了那家，就把手按在扫罗身上，说：“扫罗弟兄，在你来的路上向你显现的主耶稣派我来使你重见光明、被圣灵充满。” 18 顿时，扫罗的眼睛上有鳞片似的东西脱落，他立刻恢复了视力，便起来接受了洗礼。 19 他吃过东西之后，体力也恢复了。他和大马士革的门徒住了几天之后， 20 便到各会堂去宣讲：“耶稣是上帝的儿子。”
21 听的人都大吃一惊，说：“他不就是那在耶路撒冷迫害信徒的人吗？他到这里来不是要把大马士革的信徒押去见祭司长吗？”
22 但扫罗越发有能力，引经据典证明耶稣是基督，使大马士革的犹太人惊慌失措。
扫罗逃生
23 过了一段日子，犹太人图谋杀死扫罗。 24 他们昼夜在城门守候，伺机下手，但这阴谋被扫罗知道了。 25 他的门徒趁夜间用筐子把他从城墙上缒下去。
26 扫罗逃到耶路撒冷后，曾设法与当地的门徒联络，可是他们都怕他，不相信他是门徒。 27 只有巴拿巴接待他，带他去见使徒，向他们陈述扫罗如何在路上遇见主，主如何对他说话，他又如何勇敢地在大马士革奉耶稣的名传道。 28 于是，扫罗就在耶路撒冷与使徒一起出入来往，奉主的名放胆传道。 29 他常常跟那些讲希腊话的犹太人辩论，于是他们打算杀掉他。 30 弟兄姊妹知道这消息后，就把扫罗带到凯撒利亚，然后送他到大数去。
31 当时，犹太、加利利、撒玛利亚各地的教会都很平安，得到了坚固。信徒们非常敬畏主，又得到圣灵的安慰，人数越来越多。
彼得医治瘫子
32 彼得四处奔波，来到吕大探访那里的信徒， 33 遇见一个已经卧床八年、名叫以尼雅的瘫子。 34 彼得对他说：“以尼雅，耶稣基督已经医好你了，起来收拾你的垫子吧！”他立刻应声而起。 35 吕大和沙仑的居民看见他，都归向了主。
彼得使死人复活
36 在约帕有个乐善好施的女信徒名叫戴碧达，希腊话叫多加，意思是“羚羊”。 37 当时，她患病死了。有人将她的尸体洗干净后，停放在楼上。 38 吕大和约帕相距不远，门徒听说彼得在吕大，就派两个人赶去请他立刻来约帕。 39 彼得便随他们一同到了那里，有人领他上楼。众寡妇都站在彼得周围哭，并把多加生前缝制的内衣、外衣给他看。
40 彼得叫她们都出去，自己跪下祷告，然后转身对死者说：“戴碧达，起来！”她便睁开了眼睛，看见彼得，就坐了起来。 41 彼得伸手扶她起来后，叫那些在外面等候的门徒和寡妇进来，把活过来的多加交给他们。 42 这事传遍了整个约帕，许多人都信了主。 43 彼得继续留在约帕，在当地一个名叫西门的皮革匠家住了好些日子。
Acts 9
Expanded Bible
Saul Is Converted
9 ·In Jerusalem [L But; Meanwhile] Saul was still ·threatening [L breathing threats against] the ·followers [disciples] of the Lord by saying he would kill them. So he went to the high priest [C probably Caiaphas; 4:6] 2 and asked him to write letters to the synagogues in the city of Damascus [C in Syria, 135 miles north of Jerusalem]. Then if Saul found any ·followers of Christ’s Way [or who belonged to the Way; C a name for the Christian movement], men or women, he would ·arrest [take them prisoner; L bind] them and bring them back to Jerusalem.
3 So Saul headed toward Damascus. As he came near the city, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him [C in the OT lightning sometimes signaled the appearance of God; Ex. 19:16]. 4 Saul fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
5 Saul said, “Who are you, ·Lord [or sir]?”
The voice answered, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 Get up now and go into the city. ·Someone there will tell you [L You will be told] what you must do.”
7 The ·people [men] traveling with Saul stood there ·but said nothing [speechless; or unable to speak]. They heard the voice, but they saw no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes, but he could not see. So those with Saul took his hand and led him into Damascus. 9 For three days Saul could not see and did not eat or drink.
10 There was a ·follower of Jesus [L disciple] in Damascus named Ananias [22:12]. The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision, “Ananias!”
Ananias answered, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to Straight Street [C the main east-west street of the city]. Find the house of Judas [C not either of Jesus’ disciples by that name; Judas was a common name], and ask for a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus [C a town in Cilicia, a Roman province in southeastern Asia Minor (present-day Turkey)]. He is there now, praying. 12 Saul has seen a vision in which a man named Ananias comes to him and ·lays [places] his hands on him. Then he is able to see again.”
13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and the ·terrible [evil; harmful] things he did to your ·holy people [saints] in Jerusalem. 14 Now he has come here to Damascus, and the ·leading [T chief] priests have given him the ·power [authority] to ·arrest [bind] everyone who ·worships you [L calls on your name].”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! ·I have chosen Saul for an important work [L For he is my chosen instrument/vessel]. ·He must tell about me [L …to take/carry my name] to the ·Gentiles [nations], to kings, and to the people of Israel. 16 [L For] I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 So Ananias went to the house of Judas. He ·laid [placed] his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus sent me. He is the one ·you saw [L who appeared to you] on the road on your way here. He sent me so that you can see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something that looked like ·fish scales [or flakes] fell from Saul’s eyes, and he was able to see again! Then Saul got up and was baptized. 19 After he ate some food, his strength returned.
Saul Preaches in Damascus
Saul stayed with the ·followers of Jesus [disciples] in Damascus for ·a few [several; some] days. 20 ·Soon [Immediately; At once] he began to ·preach about [proclaim] Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “·Jesus [L This one; He] is the Son of God.”
21 All the people who heard him were amazed. They said, “·This is [L Isn’t this…?] the man who was in Jerusalem ·trying to destroy [raising havoc for; attacking] those who ·trust in [or worship; L call on] this name [C the name of Jesus; the name represents the person]! He came here to ·arrest [bind] them and take them back to the ·leading [T chief] priests.”
22 But Saul grew more ·powerful [capable; effective]. His proofs that Jesus is the Christ were so strong that ·his own people [L the Jews who lived] in Damascus ·could not argue with [were baffled/confounded by] him.
23 ·After many days [or Some time later], ·they [L the Jews] ·made plans [plotted] to kill Saul. 24 They were watching the city gates day and night [L in order to kill him], but Saul learned about their ·plan [plot]. 25 One night some ·followers [disciples] of Saul helped him leave the city by lowering him in a basket through an opening in the city wall [2 Cor. 11:32–33].
Saul Preaches in Jerusalem
26 When Saul went to Jerusalem [Gal. 1:18], he tried to ·join [associate with] the ·group of followers [disciples], but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he was really a ·follower [disciple]. 27 But Barnabas ·accepted [or took hold of] Saul and took him to the apostles. Barnabas explained to them that Saul had seen the Lord on the road and the Lord had spoken to Saul. Then he told them how ·boldly [fearlessly] Saul had preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
28 And so Saul stayed with the ·followers [disciples], ·going everywhere [or going around openly with them; L going in and going out] in Jerusalem, preaching ·boldly [fearlessly] in the name of the Lord. 29 He would often talk and ·argue [debate] with the ·Jewish people who spoke Greek [L Hellenists; C Jews who spoke Greek and had returned to Israel after living abroad], but they were trying to kill him. 30 When the ·followers [L brothers] learned about this, they took Saul to Caesarea [C city on the Mediterranean coast] and from there sent him to Tarsus [9:11].
31 [Then; or Therefore] The church everywhere in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria [C areas that comprise ancient Israel] had a time of peace and ·became stronger [L was built up/edified]. ·Respecting the Lord by the way they lived [L Walking in the fear of the Lord], and being ·encouraged [comforted; exhorted] by the Holy Spirit, ·the group of believers [L it] continued to grow.
Peter Heals Aeneas
32 As Peter was traveling through all the area, he ·visited [L came down also to] ·God’s people [the saints] who lived in Lydda [C OT Lod, 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem; 1 Chr. 8:12–13]. 33 There he ·met [L found] a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had not been able to leave his ·bed [cot; mat] for the past eight years. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus ·Christ [or the Messiah] heals you. Stand up and ·make your bed [roll up your mat; or prepare yourself a meal; C the idiom “spread for yourself” probably refers to his bed, but could refer to food].” Aeneas stood up immediately. 35 All the people living in Lydda and on ·the Plain of Sharon [L Sharon; C the coastal plain] saw him and turned to the Lord.
Peter Heals Tabitha
36 In the city of Joppa [C on the Mediterranean coast, 35 miles northwest of Jerusalem; present-day Jaffa] there was a ·follower [disciple] named Tabitha (whose Greek name was Dorcas [C both mean “gazelle”]). She was always doing good deeds and ·kind acts [acts of charity; L giving alms]. 37 ·While Peter was in Lydda [L In those days], Tabitha became sick and died. Her body was washed [C a custom of preparation for burial] and put in a room upstairs. 38 Since Lydda is near Joppa and the ·followers [disciples] in Joppa heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two ·messengers [L men] to Peter. They begged him, “Hurry, please come to us!” 39 So Peter got ·ready [L up] and went with them. When he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room where all the widows stood around Peter, crying. They showed him the ·shirts [tunics] and coats [clothing; garments; robes] ·Tabitha [L Dorcas] had made when she was ·still alive [L with them]. 40 Peter sent everyone out of the room and kneeled and prayed. Then he turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, stand up.” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called the believers and the widows into the room and showed them that Tabitha was alive. 42 People everywhere in Joppa learned about this, and many believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with a man named Simon who was a tanner [or Simon Byrseus; C Byrseus means “tanner” (someone who works with animal skins), but could be a name or an occupation; the occupation was considered unclean by Jews since it involved the bodies of dead animals].
Acts 9
New King James Version
The Damascus Road: Saul Converted(A)
9 Then (B)Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked (C)letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 (D)As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, (E)why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [a]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 And (F)the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Ananias Baptizes Saul
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus (G)named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul (H)of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And 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 about this man, (I)how much [b]harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all (J)who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for (K)he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before (L)Gentiles, (M)kings, and the (N)children[c] of Israel. 16 For (O)I will show him how many things he must suffer for My (P)name’s sake.”
17 (Q)And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and (R)laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord [d]Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and (S)be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. (T)Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Saul Preaches Christ
20 Immediately he preached [e]the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, (U)“Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”
22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, (V)and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
Saul Escapes Death
23 Now after many days were past, (W)the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 (X)But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night and (Y)let him down through the wall in a large basket.
Saul at Jerusalem
26 And (Z)when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 (AA)But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, (AB)and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So (AC)he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the (AD)Hellenists,[f] (AE)but they attempted to kill him. 30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.
The Church Prospers
31 (AF)Then the [g]churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were (AG)edified.[h] And walking in the (AH)fear of the Lord and in the (AI)comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were (AJ)multiplied.
Aeneas Healed
32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went (AK)through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, (AL)Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and (AM)Sharon saw him and (AN)turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Restored to Life
36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named [i]Tabitha, which is translated [j]Dorcas. This woman was full (AO)of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in (AP)an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter (AQ)put them all out, and (AR)knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he (AS)said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, (AT)and many believed on the Lord. 43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with (AU)Simon, a tanner.
Footnotes
- Acts 9:5 NU, M omit the rest of v. 5 and begin v. 6 with But arise and go
- Acts 9:13 bad things
- Acts 9:15 Lit. sons
- Acts 9:17 M omits Jesus
- Acts 9:20 NU Jesus
- Acts 9:29 Greek-speaking Jews
- Acts 9:31 NU church . . . was
- Acts 9:31 built up
- Acts 9:36 Lit., in Aram., Gazelle
- Acts 9:36 Lit., in Gr., Gazelle
Chinese Contemporary Bible Copyright © 1979, 2005, 2007, 2011 by Biblica® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
