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Ananias and Saul

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision.

“Ananias!” he said.

“Here I am, Lord,” he replied.

11 “Get up,” said the Lord to him, “and go to the street called Straight. Inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. Look—he’s praying! 12 And he has seen, in a vision, a man named Ananias coming and laying his hands on him so that he can see again.”

13 “Well, Lord,” replied Ananias, “I’ve heard about this man from several people . . . all about how he’s done wicked things to your holy people in Jerusalem . . . 14 and now he’s come here with authority from the chief priests to tie up everybody who calls on your Name!”

15 “Just go,” replied the Lord. “He is a chosen vessel for me, to carry my Name before nations and kings—and the children of Israel, too. 16 I am going to show him how many things he is going to have to suffer for the sake of my Name.”

17 So Ananias set off, went into the house, and laid his hands on him.

“Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord has sent me—yes, Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—so that you may be able to see again, and receive the holy spirit.”

18 At once something like scales fell off his eyes, and he was able to see. He got up and was baptized. 19 He had something to eat, and regained his strength.

“He is God’s son”

Saul stayed with the disciples in Damascus for a few days. 20 At once he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This really is the son of God!” 21 Everyone was astonished, and said, “Isn’t this the man who caused havoc to those in Jerusalem who call on this Name? And here he is, coming to tie them up and take them off to the high priests!” 22 But Saul grew all the stronger, and threw the Jews in Damascus into confusion by demonstrating that Jesus is indeed the Messiah.

23 After some days, the Jews made a plot to kill him, 24 but Saul got wind of their plan. They were watching the city gates day and night so that they could do away with him. 25 But the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

26 When he got back to Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and explained to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.

28 He was with them in Jerusalem, coming and going and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He spoke, as well, to the Hellenists, who tried to kill him. 30 But the family heard of it and took him down to Caesarea. There they sent him off to Tarsus.

31 So the church in all Judaea, Galilee and Samaria found itself at peace. It was built up and gained in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the holy spirit.

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10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,(A) “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus(B) named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on(C) him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people(D) in Jerusalem.(E) 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests(F) to arrest all who call on your name.”(G)

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument(H) to proclaim my name to the Gentiles(I) and their kings(J) and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”(K)

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on(L) Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”(M) 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,(N) 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples(O) in Damascus.(P) 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues(Q) that Jesus is the Son of God.(R) 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?(S) And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”(T) 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.(U)

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,(V) 24 but Saul learned of their plan.(W) Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.(X)

26 When he came to Jerusalem,(Y) he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas(Z) took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him,(AA) and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.(AB) 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a](AC) but they tried to kill him.(AD) 30 When the believers(AE) learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea(AF) and sent him off to Tarsus.(AG)

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria(AH) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.(AI)

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:29 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture