The Damascus Road

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples(A) of the Lord. He went to the high priest(B) and requested letters(C) from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way,(D) he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As(E) he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

“Who are You, Lord?” he said.

“I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting,” He replied. “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one.(F) Then Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.

Saul’s Baptism

10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Here I am, Lord!” he said.(G)

11 “Get up and go to the street called Straight,” the Lord said to him, “to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus(H) named Saul, since he is praying there. 12 In a vision[a] he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so he can regain his sight.”(I)

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.(J) 14 And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.”(K)

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go! For this man is My chosen instrument(L) to take My name to Gentiles,(M) kings, and the Israelites.(N) 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for My name!”(O)

17 So Ananias left and entered the house. Then he placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you can regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”(P)

18 At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 And after taking some food, he regained his strength.(Q)

Saul Proclaiming the Messiah

Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some days. 20 Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.”(R)

21 But all who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man who, in Jerusalem, was destroying those who called on this name and then came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?”(S)

22 But Saul grew more capable and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this One is the Messiah.

23 After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. So they were watching the gates day and night intending to kill him,(T) 25 but his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall.(U)

Saul in Jerusalem

26 When he arrived in Jerusalem,(V) he tried to associate with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. 27 Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that He had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly(W) in the name of Jesus.(X) 28 Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He conversed and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[b] but they attempted to kill him.(Y) 30 When the brothers found out, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.(Z)

31 So the church(AA) throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers.

The Healing of Aeneas

32 As Peter was traveling from place to place,[c] he also came down to the saints(AB) who lived in Lydda.(AC) 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed,”[d] and immediately he got up.(AD) 35 So all who lived in Lydda and Sharon(AE) saw him and turned to the Lord.

Dorcas Restored to Life

36 In Joppa(AF) there was a disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas.[e] She was always doing good works(AG) and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who begged him, “Don’t delay in coming with us.” 39 So Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.(AH) 41 He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive. 42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed on many days in Joppa with Simon,(AI) a leather tanner.[f]

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:12 Other mss omit In a vision
  2. Acts 9:29 Lit Hellenists; that is, Gk-speaking Jews
  3. Acts 9:32 Lit Peter was passing through all
  4. Acts 9:34 Or and get ready to eat
  5. Acts 9:36 = Gazelle
  6. Acts 9:43 Tanners were considered ritually unclean because of their occupation.

¶ Y Saulo, respirando aún amenazas y muerte contra los discípulos del Señor, vino al príncipe de los sacerdotes,

y demandó de él letras para Damasco a las sinagogas, para que si hallara algunos hombres o mujeres de este camino, los trajera presos a Jerusalén.

Y procediendo, aconteció que llegando cerca de Damasco, súbitamente le cercó un resplandor de luz del cielo;

y cayendo en tierra, oyó una voz que le decía: Saulo, Saulo, ¿por qué me persigues?

Y él dijo: ¿Quién eres, Señor? Y él Señor dijo: YO SOY Jesús el Nazareno a quien tú persigues; dura cosa te es dar coces contra el aguijón.

El, temblando y temeroso, dijo: ¿Señor, qué quieres que haga? Y el Señor le dice: Levántate y entra en la ciudad, y se te dirá lo que te conviene hacer.

Y los hombres que iban con Saulo, se pararon atónitos, oyendo a la verdad la voz, mas no viendo a nadie.

Entonces Saulo se levantó de tierra, y abriendo los ojos, no veía a nadie; así que, llevándole por la mano, le metieron en Damasco,

donde estuvo tres días sin ver, y no comió, ni bebió.

10 ¶ Había entonces un discípulo en Damasco llamado Ananías, al cual el Señor dijo en visión: Ananías. Y él respondió: Heme aquí, Señor.

11 Y el Señor le dijo: Levántate, y 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 ora;

12 y ha visto en visión un varón llamado Ananías, que entra y le pone la mano encima, para que reciba la vista.

13 Entonces Ananías respondió: Señor, he oído a muchos acerca de este hombre, cuántos males ha hecho a tus santos en Jerusalén;

14 y aun aquí tiene facultad de los príncipes de los sacerdotes de prender a todos los que invocan tu Nombre.

15 Y le dijo el Señor: Ve, porque vaso escogido me es éste, para que lleve mi Nombre en presencia de los gentiles, y de reyes, y de los hijos de Israel;

16 porque yo le mostraré cuánto le conviene que padezca por mi Nombre.

17 Ananías entonces fue, y entró en la casa, y poniéndole las manos encima, dijo: Saulo, hermano, el Señor Jesús, que te apareció en el camino por donde venías, me ha enviado para que recibas la vista y seas lleno del Espíritu Santo.

18 Y luego le cayeron de los ojos como escamas, y recibió al instante la vista; y levantándose, fue bautizado.

19 Y cuando comió, fue confortado. Y estuvo Saulo por algunos días con los discípulos que estaban en Damasco.

20 Y luego (entrando) en las sinagogas predicaba a Cristo, diciendo que éste era el Hijo de Dios.

21 Y todos los que le oían estaban atónitos, y decían: ¿No es éste el que asolaba en Jerusalén a los que invocaban este Nombre, y a eso vino acá, para llevarlos presos a los príncipes de los sacerdotes?

22 Pero Saulo se fortaleció más, y confundía a los judíos que moraban en Damasco, comprobando que éste es el Cristo.

23 ¶ Y como pasaron muchos días, los Judíos hicieron entre sí consejo de matarle;

24 mas las asechanzas de ellos fueron entendidas por Saulo. Y ellos guardaban las puertas de día y de noche para matarle.

25 Entonces los discípulos, tomándole de noche, le bajaron por el muro metido en una canasta.

26 Y cuando Saulo llegó a Jerusalén, trataba de juntarse con los discípulos; pero todos tenían miedo de él, no creyendo que era discípulo.

27 Entonces Bernabé, tomándole, lo trajo a los apóstoles, y les contó cómo había visto al Señor en el camino, y que le había hablado, y cómo en Damasco había hablado confiadamente en el Nombre de Jesús.

28 Y entraba y salía con ellos en Jerusalén;

29 y hablaba confiadamente en el Nombre del Señor; y disputaba con los griegos; pero ellos procuraban matarle.

30 Lo cual, cuando los hermanos entendieron, le acompañaron hasta Cesarea, y le enviaron a Tarso.

31 Las Iglesias entonces tenían paz por toda Judea, Galilea y Samaria, y eran edificadas, andando en el temor del Señor; y con consuelo del Espíritu Santo eran multiplicadas.

32 ¶ Y aconteció que Pedro, visitándolos a todos, vino también a los santos que habitaban en Lida.

33 Y halló allí a uno que se llamaba Eneas, que hacía ocho años que estaba en cama, pues era paralítico.

34 Y le dijo Pedro: Eneas, El Señor Jesús, el Cristo, te sana; levántate, y hazte tu cama. Y luego se levantó.

35 Y le vieron todos los que habitaban en Lida y en Sarón, los cuales se convirtieron al Señor.

36 ¶ Entonces en Jope había una discípula llamada Tabita, que si lo declaras, quiere decir Dorcas. Esta era llena de buenas obras y de limosnas {lit. actos de misericordia} que hacía.

37 Y aconteció en aquellos días que enfermando, murió; a la cual, después de lavada, la pusieron en un cenadero.

38 Y como Lida estaba cerca de Jope, los discípulos, oyendo que Pedro estaba allí, le enviaron dos hombres, rogándole: No te detengas en venir hasta nosotros.

39 Pedro entonces levantándose, fue con ellos; y cuando llegó, le llevaron al cenadero, donde le rodearon todas las viudas, llorando y mostrando las túnicas y los vestidos que Dorcas les hacía cuando estaba con ellas.

40 Entonces echados fuera todos, Pedro puesto de rodillas, oró; y vuelto al cuerpo, dijo: Tabita, levántate. Y ella abrió los ojos, y viendo a Pedro, se incorporó.

41 Y él le dio la mano, y la levantó; entonces, llamando a los santos y a las viudas, la presentó viva.

42 Esto fue notorio por toda Jope; y creyeron muchos en el Señor.

43 Y aconteció que se quedó muchos días en Jope en casa de un cierto Simón, curtidor.

The Conversion of Saul

(A)Now [a]Saul, still (B)breathing [b]threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for (C)letters from him to (D)the synagogues in (E)Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to [c](F)the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them in shackles to Jerusalem. Now as he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and (G)suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and (H)he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and (I)it will be told to you what you must do.” The men who traveled with him (J)stood speechless, (K)hearing the [d]voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and (L)though his eyes were open, he [e]could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into (M)Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple in (N)Damascus named (O)Ananias; and the Lord said to him in (P)a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from (Q)Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 12 and he has seen [f]in a vision a man named Ananias come in and (R)lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, (S)how much harm he did to (T)Your [g]saints in Jerusalem; 14 and here he (U)has authority from the chief priests to [h]arrest all who (V)call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for (W)he is a chosen [i]instrument of Mine, to bear My name before (X)the Gentiles and (Y)kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for (Z)I will show him how much he must suffer in behalf of My name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after (AA)laying his hands on him said, “(AB)Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be (AC)filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like fish scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened.

Saul Begins to Preach Christ

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

23 When (AJ)many days had elapsed, (AK)the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24 but (AL)their plot became known to Saul. (AM)They were also closely watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25 but his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

26 (AN)When he came to Jerusalem, he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him, as they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But (AO)Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had (AP)seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how (AQ)he had (AR)spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus at Damascus. 28 And he was with them, [l]moving about freely in Jerusalem, (AS)speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the [m](AT)Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. 30 Now when (AU)the [n]brothers learned of it, they brought him down to (AV)Caesarea and (AW)sent him away to (AX)Tarsus.

31 So (AY)the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria [o]enjoyed peace, as it was being built up; and as it [p]continued in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it kept increasing.

Peter’s Ministry

32 Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he also came down to (AZ)the [q]saints who lived at [r](BA)Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas who had been bedridden for eight years, [s]because he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your own bed.” Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at [t](BB)Lydda and (BC)Sharon saw him, and they (BD)turned to the Lord.

36 Now in (BE)Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which when translated means [u]Dorcas); this woman was [v]excelling in acts of kindness and charity which she did habitually. 37 But it happened [w]at that time that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an (BF)upstairs room. 38 Since Lydda was near (BG)Joppa, (BH)the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” 39 So Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the (BI)room upstairs; and all the (BJ)widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the [x]tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40 But Peter (BK)sent them all out and (BL)knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “(BM)Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling (BN)the [y]saints and (BO)widows, he presented her alive. 42 It became known all over (BP)Joppa, and (BQ)many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed in (BR)Joppa many days with (BS)a tanner named Simon.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:1 Later called Paul
  2. Acts 9:1 Lit threat
  3. Acts 9:2 See John 14:6
  4. Acts 9:7 Or sound
  5. Acts 9:8 Lit was seeing
  6. Acts 9:12 A few early mss do not contain in a vision
  7. Acts 9:13 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  8. Acts 9:14 Lit bind
  9. Acts 9:15 Or vessel
  10. Acts 9:20 Lit that
  11. Acts 9:22 I.e., Messiah
  12. Acts 9:28 Lit going in and going out
  13. Acts 9:29 Jews who adopted the Gr language and much of Gr culture through acculturation
  14. Acts 9:30 I.e., disciples
  15. Acts 9:31 Lit was having
  16. Acts 9:31 Lit went
  17. Acts 9:32 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  18. Acts 9:32 OT: Lod
  19. Acts 9:33 Lit who was
  20. Acts 9:35 OT: Lod
  21. Acts 9:36 I.e., Gr for Gazelle
  22. Acts 9:36 Lit full of
  23. Acts 9:37 Lit in those days
  24. Acts 9:39 A long shirt worn next to the skin
  25. Acts 9:41 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people