Acts 9
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
While Saul Is Going To Damascus To Persecute Believers, Jesus Appears To Him
9 Now Saul, still breathing threat and murder against the disciples of the Lord, having gone to the high priest, 2 asked-for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus so that if he found any being of the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 And during the proceeding, it came about that he was drawing-near to Damascus. And suddenly a light from heaven flashed-around him. 4 And having fallen on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, sir[a]?” And the One said, “I am Jesus Whom you are persecuting. 6 But arise and enter into the city, and it will be told you what thing you must do”. 7 And the men traveling-with him were standing speechless[b], hearing the voice[c] but seeing no one. 8 And Saul was raised[d] from the ground. And his eyes having been opened, he was seeing nothing. And hand-leading him, they brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was not seeing for three days. And he did not eat nor drink.
God Tells Ananias To Go Give Saul His Sight, For He Is God’s Chosen Instrument
10 Now a certain disciple was in Damascus— Ananias by name. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias”. And the one said, “Behold, I am here, Lord”. 11 And the Lord said to him, “Having arisen, go on the lane being called ‘Straight’, and seek one-from-Tarsus, Saul by name, in the house of Judas. For behold— he is praying. 12 And he saw a man in a vision, Ananias by name, having come in and laid hands on him so that he might see-again”. 13 And Ananias responded, “Lord, I heard about this man from many— how many bad things he did to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all the ones calling-upon Your name”. 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, because this one is a chosen instrument[e] for Me— that he might carry My name before both Gentiles and kings, and sons of Israel. 16 For I will show him how-many things he must suffer for My name”. 17 And Ananias departed, and entered into the house. And having laid his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me forth— Jesus, the One having appeared to you on the road on which you were coming— so that you may see-again and be filled with the Holy Spirit”. 18 And immediately something like scales[f] fell from his eyes. And he saw-again[g], and having arisen, was baptized. 19 And having taken food, he strengthened.
Saul Begins Proclaiming Christ In Damascus. He Escapes a Plot To Kill Him
Now he came-to-be with the disciples in Damascus for some days. 20 And immediately he was proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues— that this One is the Son of God. 21 And all the ones hearing were astonished, and were saying, “Is not this the one having destroyed in Jerusalem the ones calling-upon this name? And he had come here for this— that he might bring them bound to the chief priests!” 22 And Saul was becoming more strong. And he was confounding[h] the Jews dwelling in Damascus, proving that this One is the Christ. 23 And when considerable days were being fulfilled, the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 But their plot was known by Saul. And they were even closely-watching the gates both by day and by night so that they might kill him. 25 But his disciples, having taken him by night, let him down through the wall, having lowered[i] him in a large-basket.
Saul Joins The Disciples In Jerusalem. Due To a Plot To Kill Him, He Is Sent To Tarsus
26 And having arrived in Jerusalem, he was trying to join the disciples. And they all were fearing him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas, having taken-hold-of him, brought him to the apostles and related to them how he saw the Lord on the road, and that[j] He spoke to him; and how in Damascus he spoke-boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them, going in and going out in Jerusalem, speaking-boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was speaking and debating with the Hellenists, but the ones were attempting[k] to kill him. 30 But the brothers, having learned it, brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
The Church Enjoys Peace And Growth
31 So indeed the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria was having peace, while being built-up. And it was being multiplied while walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort[l] of the Holy Spirit.
Peter Goes Through The Regions Healing And Proclaiming Christ. He Heals Aeneas in Lydda
32 Now it came about that Peter, while going through all the regions[m], came down also to the saints dwelling-in Lydda. 33 And he found there a certain man, Aeneas by name, who had been paralyzed, lying down on a cot for eight years. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed for yourself ”. And immediately he arose. 35 And all the ones dwelling-in Lydda and Sharon saw him— who[n] [then] turned to the Lord.
Peter Raises Dorcas From The Dead In Joppa
36 Now in Joppa, there was a certain disciple, Tabitha by name (which being interpreted[o] means “Dorcas”). This one was full of good works and acts-of-almsgiving[p] which she was doing. 37 And it came about in those days that having become sick, she died. And having washed her, they laid her in an upper-room. 38 Now Lydda being near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was in it, sent-out two men to him urging, “Do not delay to come to us”. 39 And having arisen, Peter went with them— whom[q], having arrived, they brought up into the upper room. And all the widows stood near him, weeping and showing him tunics[r] and garments— all-that Dorcas was making while being with them. 40 And Peter— having put everyone outside, and having put down his knees— prayed. And having turned to the body, he said, “Tabitha, rise-up”. And the one opened her eyes! And having seen Peter, she sat up. 41 And having given her his hand, he raised her up. And having called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many put-faith upon the Lord. 43 And it came about that he stayed considerable days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.
Footnotes
- Acts 9:5 Or, lord, as in 10:4; Rev 7:14.
- Acts 9:7 Or, dumbfounded.
- Acts 9:7 Or, sound.
- Acts 9:8 Or, arose.
- Acts 9:15 Or, vessel, tool.
- Acts 9:18 That is, scales of a fish. Or, ‘flakes’ of skin.
- Acts 9:18 Or, received sight.
- Acts 9:22 Or, throwing-into-confusion.
- Acts 9:25 On this incident, compare 2 Cor 11:32-33.
- Acts 9:27 Or, and what thing He spoke to him.
- Acts 9:29 Or, undertaking, taking-in-hand.
- Acts 9:31 Or, encouragement.
- Acts 9:32 Or, districts, places.
- Acts 9:35 This word is plural.
- Acts 9:36 Or, translated. Dorcas means gazelle.
- Acts 9:36 That is, charity to the poor.
- Acts 9:39 That is, Peter.
- Acts 9:39 That is, undergarments.
Acts 9
King James Version
9 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
