Acts 9
Living Bible
9 But Paul, threatening with every breath and eager to destroy every Christian, went to the High Priest in Jerusalem. 2 He requested a letter addressed to synagogues in Damascus, requiring their cooperation in the persecution of any believers he found there, both men and women, so that he could bring them in chains to Jerusalem.
3 As he was nearing Damascus on this mission, suddenly a brilliant light from heaven spotted down upon him! 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Paul! Paul! Why are you persecuting me?”
5 “Who is speaking, sir?” Paul asked.
And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city and await my further instructions.”
7 The men with Paul stood speechless with surprise, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8-9 As Paul picked himself up off the ground, he found that he was blind. He had to be led into Damascus and was there three days, blind, going without food and water all that time.
10 Now there was in Damascus a believer named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord!” he replied.
11 And the Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street and find the house of a man named Judas and ask there for Paul of Tarsus. He is praying to me right now, for 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him so that he can see again!”
13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I have heard about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And we hear that he has arrest warrants with him from the chief priests, authorizing him to arrest every believer in Damascus!”
15 But the Lord said, “Go and do what I say. For Paul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the nations and before kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for me.”
17 So Ananias went over and found Paul and laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Paul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you may be filled with the Holy Spirit and get your sight back.”
18 Instantly (it was as though scales fell from his eyes) Paul could see and was immediately baptized. 19 Then he ate and was strengthened.
He stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days 20 and went at once to the synagogue to tell everyone there the Good News about Jesus—that he is indeed the Son of God!
21 All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who persecuted Jesus’ followers so bitterly in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And we understand that he came here to arrest them all and take them in chains to the chief priests.”
22 Paul became more and more fervent in his preaching, and the Damascus Jews couldn’t withstand his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Christ.
23 After a while the Jewish leaders determined to kill him. 24 But Paul was told about their plans, that they were watching the gates of the city day and night prepared to murder him. 25 So during the night some of his converts let him down in a basket through an opening in the city wall!
26 Upon arrival in Jerusalem he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They thought he was faking! 27 Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Paul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus, what the Lord had said to him, and all about his powerful preaching in the name of Jesus. 28 Then they accepted him, and after that he was constantly with the believers 29 and preached boldly in the name of the Lord. But then some Greek-speaking Jews with whom he had argued plotted to murder him. 30 However, when the other believers heard about his danger, they took him to Caesarea and then sent him to his home in Tarsus.
31 Meanwhile, the church had peace throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria, and grew in strength and numbers. The believers learned how to walk in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
32 Peter traveled from place to place to visit them,[a] and in his travels came to the believers in the town of Lydda. 33 There he met a man named Aeneas, paralyzed and bedridden for eight years.
34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas! Jesus Christ has healed you! Get up and make your bed.” And he was healed instantly. 35 Then the whole population of Lydda and Sharon turned to the Lord when they saw Aeneas walking around.
36 In the city of Joppa there was a woman named Dorcas (“Gazelle”), a believer who was always doing kind things for others, especially for the poor. 37 About this time she became ill and died. Her friends prepared her for burial and laid her in an upstairs room. 38 But when they learned that Peter was nearby at Lydda, they sent two men to beg him to return with them to Joppa. 39 This he did; as soon as he arrived, they took him upstairs where Dorcas lay. The room was filled with weeping widows who were showing one another the coats and other garments Dorcas had made for them. 40 But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Dorcas,”[b] and she opened her eyes! And when she saw Peter, she sat up! 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up and called in the believers and widows, presenting her to them.
42 The news raced through the town, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed a long time in Joppa, living with Simon, the tanner.
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
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
Conversión de Saulo
9 Saulo(A), respirando todavía amenazas[a] y muerte contra los discípulos del Señor(B), fue al sumo sacerdote, 2 y le pidió cartas para las sinagogas(C) de Damasco(D), para que si encontraba algunos que pertenecieran al Camino(E), tanto hombres como mujeres, los pudiera llevar atados a Jerusalén(F).
3 (G)Y mientras viajaba, al acercarse a Damasco, de repente resplandeció a su alrededor una luz del cielo(H). 4 Al caer a tierra, oyó una voz que le decía: «Saulo, Saulo, ¿por qué me persigues(I)?».
5 «¿Quién eres, Señor?», preguntó Saulo. El Señor respondió: «Yo soy Jesús a quien tú persigues; 6 levántate[b], entra en la ciudad, y se te dirá lo que debes hacer(J)».
7 Los hombres que iban con él se detuvieron atónitos(K), oyendo la voz[c](L), pero sin ver a nadie. 8 Saulo se levantó del suelo, y aunque sus ojos estaban abiertos, no veía nada(M); y llevándolo por la mano, lo trajeron a Damasco(N). 9 Estuvo tres días sin ver, y no comió ni bebió.
Ananías visita a Saulo
10 Había en Damasco(O) cierto discípulo llamado Ananías(P); y el Señor le dijo en una visión(Q): «Ananías». «Aquí estoy, Señor», contestó él. 11 El Señor le dijo: «Levántate y ve a la calle que se llama Derecha, y pregunta en la casa de Judas por un hombre de Tarso(R)llamado Saulo, porque él está orando, 12 y ha visto en una visión[d]a un hombre llamado Ananías, que entra y pone las manos sobre él para que recobre la vista(S)».
13 Pero Ananías respondió: «Señor, he oído de muchos acerca de este hombre, cuánto mal ha hecho a Tus santos(T) en Jerusalén(U), 14 y aquí tiene autoridad de los principales sacerdotes para prender(V) a todos los que invocan Tu nombre(W)».
15 Pero el Señor le dijo: «Ve, porque él es Mi instrumento[e]escogido(X), para llevar Mi nombre en presencia de los gentiles(Y), de los reyes(Z)y de los israelitas; 16 porque Yo le mostraré cuánto debe padecer(AA)por Mi nombre».
17 Ananías fue y entró en la casa, y después de poner las manos sobre él(AB), dijo: «Hermano Saulo, el Señor Jesús, que se te apareció en el camino por donde venías, me ha enviado para que recobres la vista(AC) y seas lleno del Espíritu Santo(AD)». 18 Al instante cayeron de sus ojos como unas escamas, y recobró la vista; y se levantó y fue bautizado. 19 Tomó alimentos y cobró fuerzas.
Y por varios días estuvo con los discípulos(AE) que estaban en Damasco(AF).
Saulo predica en Damasco
20 Enseguida se puso a predicar de Jesús en las sinagogas(AG), diciendo[f]: «Él es el Hijo de Dios(AH)». 21 Y todos los que lo escuchaban estaban asombrados y decían: «¿No es este el que en Jerusalén destruía a los que invocaban este nombre(AI), y el que había venido aquí con este propósito: para llevarlos atados ante los principales sacerdotes(AJ)?». 22 Pero Saulo seguía fortaleciéndose y confundiendo a los judíos que habitaban en Damasco, demostrando que este Jesús es el Cristo[g].
Saulo escapa de los judíos
23 Después de muchos días(AK), los judíos tramaron(AL) deshacerse de él, 24 pero su plan llegó al conocimiento de Saulo(AM). Y aun vigilaban las puertas día y noche con el intento de matarlo(AN); 25 pero sus discípulos lo tomaron de noche y lo sacaron[h] por una abertura en la muralla, bajándolo en una canasta.
Saulo en Jerusalén
26 Cuando Saulo llegó a Jerusalén, trataba de juntarse con los discípulos; pero todos le temían, no creyendo que era discípulo(AO). 27 Pero Bernabé(AP) lo tomó y lo presentó a los apóstoles, y les contó cómo Saulo había visto al Señor en el camino, y que Él le había hablado(AQ), y cómo en Damasco(AR) había hablado con valor en el nombre de Jesús(AS).
28 Y estaba con ellos moviéndose libremente[i] en Jerusalén, hablando con valor en el nombre del Señor(AT). 29 También hablaba y discutía con los judíos helenistas(AU); pero estos intentaban matarlo. 30 Pero cuando los hermanos(AV) lo supieron, lo llevaron a Cesarea(AW), y de allí lo enviaron(AX) a Tarso(AY).
31 Entretanto la iglesia(AZ) gozaba de paz por toda Judea, Galilea y Samaria, y era edificada; y andando en el temor del Señor y en la fortaleza del Espíritu Santo, seguía creciendo.
Curación de Eneas
32 Mientras Pedro viajaba por todas aquellas regiones, vino también a los santos(BA) que vivían en Lida(BB). 33 Allí encontró a un hombre llamado Eneas, que había estado postrado en cama por ocho años, porque estaba paralítico. 34 Y Pedro le dijo: «Eneas, Jesucristo te sana; levántate y haz tu cama». Y al instante se levantó. 35 Todos los que vivían en Lida(BC) y en Sarón(BD) lo vieron, y[j] se convirtieron al Señor(BE).
Resurrección de Dorcas
36 Había entonces en Jope(BF) una discípula llamada Tabita, que traducido al griego es Dorcas[k]; esta mujer era rica[l] en obras buenas y de caridad que hacía continuamente. 37 Y sucedió que en aquellos días se enfermó y murió; y lavado su cuerpo, lo pusieron en un aposento alto(BG). 38 Como Lida estaba cerca de Jope(BH), los discípulos(BI), al oír que Pedro estaba allí, le enviaron dos hombres, rogándole: «No tarde usted en venir a nosotros».
39 Entonces Pedro se levantó y fue con ellos. Cuando llegó lo llevaron al aposento alto(BJ), y todas las viudas(BK) lo rodearon llorando, mostrando todas las túnicas y ropas que Dorcas solía hacer cuando estaba con ellas.
40 Pero Pedro, haciendo salir a todos, se arrodilló y oró(BL), y volviéndose al cadáver, dijo: «Tabita, levántate(BM)». Ella abrió los ojos, y al ver a Pedro, se incorporó(BN). 41 Él le dio la mano y la levantó; y llamando a los santos[m](BO) y a las viudas(BP), la presentó viva. 42 Esto se supo en todo Jope(BQ), y muchos creyeron en el Señor(BR). 43 Pedro se quedó en Jope(BS) muchos días con un tal Simón, que era curtidor(BT).
Footnotes
- 9:1 Lit. amenaza.
- 9:6 Algunas versiones agregan al principio del vers.: El, temblando y temeroso, dijo: Señor, ¿qué quieres que yo haga? Y el Señor le dijo: Levántate.
- 9:7 O el sonido.
- 9:12 Algunos mss. no incluyen: en una visión.
- 9:15 O vaso.
- 9:20 Lit. que.
- 9:22 I.e. el Mesías.
- 9:25 Lit. bajaron.
- 9:28 Lit. entrando y saliendo.
- 9:35 Lit. los cuales.
- 9:36 O Gacela.
- 9:36 Lit. llena.
- 9:41 O los creyentes.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Nueva Biblia de las Américas™ NBLA™ Copyright © 2005 por The Lockman Foundation
