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
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
Hechos 9
Reina Valera Actualizada
La conversión de Saulo
9 Entonces Saulo, respirando aún amenazas y homicidio contra los discípulos del Señor, se presentó al sumo sacerdote 2 y le pidió cartas para las sinagogas en Damasco, con el fin de llevar preso a Jerusalén a cualquiera que hallara del Camino[a], fuera hombre o mujer.
3 Mientras iba de viaje, llegando cerca de Damasco, aconteció de repente que le rodeó un resplandor de luz desde el cielo. 4 Él cayó en tierra y oyó una voz que le decía:
—Saulo, Saulo, ¿por qué me persigues?
5 Y él dijo:
—¿Quién eres, Señor?
Y él respondió:
—Yo soy Jesús, a quien tú persigues[b]. 6 Pero levántate, entra en la ciudad, y se te dirá lo que te es preciso hacer.
7 Los hombres que iban con Saulo habían quedado de pie, enmudecidos. A la verdad, oían la voz, pero no veían a nadie. 8 Entonces Saulo fue levantado del suelo, y aun con los ojos abiertos no veía nada. Así que, guiándole de la mano, le condujeron a Damasco. 9 Por tres días estuvo sin ver, y no comió ni bebió.
10 Había cierto discípulo en Damasco llamado Ananías, y el Señor le dijo en visión:
—Ananías.
Él respondió:
—Heme aquí, Señor.
11 El Señor le dijo:
—Levántate, ve a la calle que se llama La Derecha y busca en casa de Judas a uno llamado Saulo de Tarso; porque he aquí él está orando, 12 y en una visión[c] ha visto a un hombre llamado Ananías que entra y le pone las manos encima para que recobre la vista.
13 Entonces Ananías respondió:
—Señor, he oído a muchos hablar acerca de este hombre, y de cuántos males ha hecho a tus santos en Jerusalén. 14 Aun aquí tiene autoridad de parte de los principales sacerdotes para tomar presos a todos los que invocan tu nombre.
15 Y le dijo el Señor:
—Ve, porque este hombre me es un instrumento escogido para llevar mi nombre ante los gentiles, los reyes y los hijos de Israel. 16 Porque yo le mostraré cuánto le es necesario padecer por mi nombre.
17 Entonces Ananías fue y entró en la casa; le puso las manos encima y dijo:
—Saulo, hermano, el Señor Jesús, que te apareció en el camino por donde venías, me ha enviado para que recuperes la vista y seas lleno del Espíritu Santo.
18 De inmediato le cayó de los ojos algo como escamas, y volvió a ver. Se levantó y fue bautizado; 19 y habiendo comido, recuperó las fuerzas.
Saulo predica en Damasco
Saulo estuvo por algunos días con los discípulos que estaban en Damasco. 20 Y en seguida predicaba a Jesús en las sinagogas, diciendo:
—Este es el Hijo de Dios.
21 Todos los que le oían estaban atónitos y decían:
—¿No es este el que asolaba en Jerusalén a los que invocaban este nombre? ¿Y no ha venido acá para eso mismo, para llevarles presos ante los principales sacerdotes?
22 Pero Saulo se fortalecía aún más y confundía a los judíos que habitaban en Damasco, demostrando que Jesús era el Cristo.
23 Pasados muchos días, los judíos consultaron entre sí para matarle; 24 pero sus asechanzas fueron conocidas por Saulo. Y guardaban aun las puertas de la ciudad de día y de noche para matarle. 25 Entonces sus discípulos tomaron a Saulo de noche y le bajaron por el muro en una canasta.
Saulo y los hermanos en Jerusalén
26 Cuando fue a Jerusalén, intentaba juntarse con los discípulos; y todos le tenían miedo, porque no creían que fuera discípulo. 27 Pero Bernabé le recibió y le llevó a los apóstoles. Les contó cómo había visto al Señor en el camino, y que había hablado con él, y cómo en Damasco había predicado con valentía en el nombre de Jesús. 28 Así entraba y salía con ellos en Jerusalén, 29 predicando con valentía en el nombre del Señor. Hablaba y discutía con los helenistas, pero ellos procuraban matarle. 30 Luego, cuando los hermanos lo supieron, le acompañaron hasta Cesarea y le enviaron a Tarso.
31 Entonces por toda Judea, Galilea y Samaria la iglesia tenía paz. Iba edificándose y vivía en el temor del Señor, y con el consuelo del Espíritu Santo se multiplicaba.
Pedro sana a Eneas
32 Aconteció que mientras Pedro recorría por todas partes, fue también a visitar a los santos que habitaban en Lida. 33 Allí encontró a cierto hombre llamado Eneas, que estaba postrado en cama desde hacía ocho años, pues era paralítico.
34 Pedro le dijo: “Eneas, ¡Jesucristo te sana! Levántate y arregla tu cama”. De inmediato se levantó, 35 y le vieron todos los que habitaban en Lida y en Sarón, los cuales se convirtieron al Señor.
Pedro resucita a Dorcas
36 Entonces había en Jope cierta discípula llamada Tabita, que traducido es Dorcas. Ella estaba llena de buenas obras y de actos de misericordia que hacía. 37 Aconteció en aquellos días que ella se enfermó y murió. Después de lavarla, la pusieron en una sala del piso superior. 38 Como Lida estaba cerca de Jope, los discípulos, al oír que Pedro estaba allí, le enviaron dos hombres para que le rogaran: “No tardes en venir hasta nosotros”.
39 Entonces Pedro se levantó y fue con ellos. Cuando llegó, le llevaron a la sala y le rodearon todas las viudas, llorando y mostrándole las túnicas y los vestidos que Dorcas hacía cuando estaba con ellas. 40 Después de sacar fuera a todos, Pedro se puso de rodillas y oró; y vuelto hacia el cuerpo, dijo: “¡Tabita, levántate!”. Ella abrió los ojos, y al ver a Pedro se sentó. 41 Él le dio la mano y la levantó. Entonces llamó a los santos y a las viudas, y la presentó viva.
42 Esto fue conocido en todo Jope, y muchos creyeron en el Señor. 43 Pedro se quedó muchos días en Jope, en casa de un tal Simón, curtidor.
Footnotes
- Hechos 9:2 Nombre primitivo para referirse al movimiento cristiano; cf. 18:26; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22.
- Hechos 9:5 Algunos mss. antiguos incluyen aquí (o en v. 4): dura cosa te es dar coces contra el aguijón. 6 Él, temblando y temeroso, dijo: Señor, ¿qué quieres que haga? Y el Señor le dice: Levántate…; cf. 26:14.
- Hechos 9:12 Algunos mss. antiguos omiten en una visión.
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
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Version Reina Valera Actualizada, Copyright © 2015 by Editorial Mundo Hispano