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
Acts 9
English Standard Version
The Conversion of Saul
9 But Saul, (A)still (B)breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to (C)the high priest 2 and asked him for letters (D)to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to (E)the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 (F)Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting (G)me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, (H)whom you are persecuting. 6 But (I)rise and enter the city, and you will be told (J)what you are to do.” 7 (K)The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, (L)hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, (M)he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named (N)Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, (O)“Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man (P)of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and (Q)lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, (R)how much evil he has done to (S)your (T)saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from (U)the chief priests to bind all who (V)call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for (W)he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name (X)before the Gentiles and (Y)kings and the children of Israel. 16 For (Z)I will show him how much (AA)he must suffer (AB)for the sake of my name.” 17 So (AC)Ananias departed and entered the house. And (AD)laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and (AE)be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and (AF)he regained his sight. Then (AG)he rose and was baptized; 19 and (AH)taking food, he was strengthened.
Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues
For (AI)some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, (AJ)“He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who (AK)made havoc (AL)in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul (AM)increased all the more in strength, and (AN)confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving (AO)that Jesus was the Christ.
Saul Escapes from Damascus
23 (AP)When many days had passed, the Jews[a] plotted to kill him, 24 but their (AQ)plot became known to Saul. (AR)They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and (AS)let him down through an opening in the wall,[b] lowering him in a basket.
Saul in Jerusalem
26 And (AT)when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But (AU)Barnabas took him and (AV)brought him to the apostles and declared to them (AW)how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and (AX)how at Damascus he had (AY)preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went (AZ)in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against (BA)the Hellenists.[c] But (BB)they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when (BC)the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off (BD)to Tarsus.
31 So (BE)the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And (BF)walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, (BG)it multiplied.
The Healing of Aeneas
32 Now (BH)as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, (BI)Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 (BJ)And all the residents of Lydda and (BK)Sharon saw him, and (BL)they turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Restored to Life
36 Now there was in (BM)Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas.[d] She was full of (BN)good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in (BO)an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, (BP)“Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to (BQ)the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics[e] and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter (BR)put them all outside, and (BS)knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body (BT)he said, “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. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and (BU)many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days (BV)with one Simon, a tanner.
Footnotes
- Acts 9:23 The Greek word Ioudaioi refers specifically here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time
- Acts 9:25 Greek through the wall
- Acts 9:29 That is, Greek-speaking Jews
- Acts 9:36 The Aramaic name Tabitha and the Greek name Dorcas both mean gazelle
- Acts 9:39 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin
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.
Hechos 9
Nueva Versión Internacional (Castilian)
Conversión de Saulo(A)
9 Mientras tanto, Saulo, respirando aún amenazas de muerte contra los discípulos del Señor, se presentó al sumo sacerdote 2 y le pidió cartas para las sinagogas de Damasco. Tenía la intención de encontrar y llevar presos a Jerusalén a todos los que pertenecieran al Camino, fueran hombres o mujeres. 3 En el viaje sucedió que, al acercarse a Damasco, una luz del cielo resplandeció de repente a su alrededor. 4 Él cayó al suelo y oyó una voz que le decía:
―Saulo, Saulo, ¿por qué me persigues?
5 ―¿Quién eres, Señor? —preguntó.
―Yo soy Jesús, a quien tú persigues —le contestó la voz—. 6 Levántate y entra en la ciudad, que allí se te dirá lo que tienes que hacer.
7 Los hombres que viajaban con Saulo se detuvieron atónitos, porque oían la voz, pero no veían a nadie. 8 Saulo se levantó del suelo, pero cuando abrió los ojos no podía ver, así que lo tomaron de la mano y lo llevaron a Damasco. 9 Estuvo ciego tres días, sin comer ni beber nada.
10 Había en Damasco un discípulo llamado Ananías, a quien el Señor llamó en una visión.
―¡Ananías!
―Aquí estoy, Señor.
11 ―Anda, ve a la casa de Judas, en la calle llamada Derecha, y pregunta por un tal Saulo de Tarso. Está orando, 12 y ha visto en una visión a un hombre llamado Ananías, que entra y pone las manos sobre él para que recobre la vista.
13 Entonces Ananías respondió:
―Señor, he oído hablar mucho de ese hombre y de todo el mal que ha causado a tus santos en Jerusalén. 14 Y ahora lo tenemos aquí, autorizado por los jefes de los sacerdotes, para llevarse presos a todos los que invocan tu nombre.
15 ―¡Ve! —insistió el Señor—, porque ese hombre es mi instrumento escogido para dar a conocer mi nombre tanto a las naciones y a sus reyes como al pueblo de Israel. 16 Yo le mostraré cuánto tendrá que padecer por mi nombre.
17 Ananías se fue y, cuando llegó a la casa, le impuso las manos a Saulo y le dijo: «Hermano Saulo, el Señor Jesús, que se te apareció en el camino, me ha enviado para que recobres la vista y seas lleno del Espíritu Santo». 18 Al instante cayó de los ojos de Saulo algo como escamas, y recobró la vista. Se levantó y fue bautizado; 19 y, habiendo comido, recobró las fuerzas.
Saulo en Damasco y en Jerusalén
Saulo pasó varios días con los discípulos que estaban en Damasco, 20 y en seguida se dedicó a predicar en las sinagogas, afirmando que Jesús es el Hijo de Dios. 21 Todos los que le oían quedaban asombrados, y preguntaban: «¿No es este el que en Jerusalén perseguía a muerte a los que invocan ese nombre? ¿Y no ha venido aquí para llevárselos presos y entregarlos a los jefes de los sacerdotes?» 22 Pero Saulo cobraba cada vez más fuerza y confundía a los judíos que vivían en Damasco, demostrándoles que Jesús es el Mesías.
23 Después de muchos días, los judíos se pusieron de acuerdo para hacerlo desaparecer, 24 pero Saulo se enteró de sus maquinaciones. Día y noche vigilaban de cerca las puertas de la ciudad con el fin de eliminarlo. 25 Pero sus discípulos se lo llevaron de noche y lo bajaron en un canasto por una abertura en la muralla.
26 Cuando llegó a Jerusalén, trataba de juntarse con los discípulos, pero todos tenían miedo de él, porque no creían que de veras fuera discípulo. 27 Entonces Bernabé lo tomó a su cargo y lo llevó a los apóstoles. Saulo les describió en detalle cómo en el camino había visto al Señor, el cual le había hablado, y cómo en Damasco había predicado con libertad en el nombre de Jesús. 28 Así que se quedó con ellos, y andaba por todas partes en Jerusalén, hablando abiertamente en el nombre del Señor. 29 Conversaba y discutía con los judíos de habla griega,[a] pero ellos se proponían eliminarlo. 30 Cuando se enteraron de ello los hermanos, se lo llevaron a Cesarea y de allí lo mandaron a Tarso.
31 Mientras tanto, la iglesia disfrutaba de paz a la vez que se consolidaba en toda Judea, Galilea y Samaria, pues vivía en el temor del Señor. E iba creciendo en número, fortalecida por el Espíritu Santo.
Eneas y Dorcas
32 Pedro, que estaba recorriendo toda la región, fue también a visitar a los santos que vivían en Lida. 33 Allí encontró a un paralítico llamado Eneas, que llevaba ocho años en cama. 34 «Eneas —le dijo Pedro—, Jesucristo te sana. Levántate y haz tu cama». Y al instante se levantó. 35 Todos los que vivían en Lida y en Sarón lo vieron, y se convirtieron al Señor.
36 Había en Jope una discípula llamada Tabita (que traducido es Dorcas[b]). Esta se esmeraba en hacer buenas obras y en ayudar a los pobres. 37 Sucedió que en esos días cayó enferma y murió. Pusieron el cadáver, después de lavarlo, en un cuarto de la planta alta. 38 Y como Lida estaba cerca de Jope, los discípulos, al enterarse de que Pedro se encontraba en Lida, enviaron a dos hombres a rogarle: «¡Por favor, ven a Jope en seguida!»
39 Sin demora, Pedro se fue con ellos, y cuando llegó lo llevaron al cuarto de arriba. Todas las viudas se presentaron, llorando y mostrándole las túnicas y otros vestidos que Dorcas había hecho cuando aún estaba con ellas.
40 Pedro hizo que todos salieran del cuarto; luego se puso de rodillas y oró. Volviéndose hacia la muerta, dijo: «Tabita, levántate». Ella abrió los ojos y, al ver a Pedro, se incorporó. 41 Él, tomándola de la mano, la levantó. Luego llamó a los creyentes y a las viudas, a quienes se la presentó viva. 42 La noticia se difundió por todo Jope, y muchos creyeron en el Señor. 43 Pedro se quedó en Jope bastante tiempo, en casa de un tal Simón, que era curtidor.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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