Atti 9
Conferenza Episcopale Italiana
La vocazione di Saulo
9 Saulo frattanto, sempre fremente minaccia e strage contro i discepoli del Signore, si presentò al sommo sacerdote 2 e gli chiese lettere per le sinagoghe di Damasco al fine di essere autorizzato a condurre in catene a Gerusalemme uomini e donne, seguaci della dottrina di Cristo, che avesse trovati. 3 E avvenne che, mentre era in viaggio e stava per avvicinarsi a Damasco, all'improvviso lo avvolse una luce dal cielo 4 e cadendo a terra udì una voce che gli diceva: «Saulo, Saulo, perché mi perseguiti?». 5 Rispose: «Chi sei, o Signore?». E la voce: «Io sono Gesù, che tu perseguiti! 6 Orsù, alzati ed entra nella città e ti sarà detto ciò che devi fare». 7 Gli uomini che facevano il cammino con lui si erano fermati ammutoliti, sentendo la voce ma non vedendo nessuno. 8 Saulo si alzò da terra ma, aperti gli occhi, non vedeva nulla. Così, guidandolo per mano, lo condussero a Damasco, 9 dove rimase tre giorni senza vedere e senza prendere né cibo né bevanda.
10 Ora c'era a Damasco un discepolo di nome Anania e il Signore in una visione gli disse: «Anania!». Rispose: «Eccomi, Signore!». 11 E il Signore a lui: «Su, và sulla strada chiamata Diritta, e cerca nella casa di Giuda un tale che ha nome Saulo, di Tarso; ecco sta pregando, 12 e ha visto in visione un uomo, di nome Anania, venire e imporgli le mani perché ricuperi la vista». 13 Rispose Anania: «Signore, riguardo a quest'uomo ho udito da molti tutto il male che ha fatto ai tuoi fedeli in Gerusalemme. 14 Inoltre ha l'autorizzazione dai sommi sacerdoti di arrestare tutti quelli che invocano il tuo nome». 15 Ma il Signore disse: «Và, perché egli è per me uno strumento eletto per portare il mio nome dinanzi ai popoli, ai re e ai figli di Israele; 16 e io gli mostrerò quanto dovrà soffrire per il mio nome». 17 Allora Anania andò, entrò nella casa, gli impose le mani e disse: «Saulo, fratello mio, mi ha mandato a te il Signore Gesù, che ti è apparso sulla via per la quale venivi, perché tu riacquisti la vista e sia colmo di Spirito Santo». 18 E improvvisamente gli caddero dagli occhi come delle squame e ricuperò la vista; fu subito battezzato, 19 poi prese cibo e le forze gli ritornarono.
Predicazione di Saulo a Damasco
Rimase alcuni giorni insieme ai discepoli che erano a Damasco, 20 e subito nelle sinagoghe proclamava Gesù Figlio di Dio. 21 E tutti quelli che lo ascoltavano si meravigliavano e dicevano: «Ma costui non è quel tale che a Gerusalemme infieriva contro quelli che invocano questo nome ed era venuto qua precisamente per condurli in catene dai sommi sacerdoti?». 22 Saulo frattanto si rinfrancava sempre più e confondeva i Giudei residenti a Damasco, dimostrando che Gesù è il Cristo. 23 Trascorsero così parecchi giorni e i Giudei fecero un complotto per ucciderlo; 24 ma i loro piani vennero a conoscenza di Saulo. Essi facevano la guardia anche alle porte della città di giorno e di notte per sopprimerlo; 25 ma i suoi discepoli di notte lo presero e lo fecero discendere dalle mura, calandolo in una cesta.
Visita di Saulo a Gerusalemme
26 Venuto a Gerusalemme, cercava di unirsi con i discepoli, ma tutti avevano paura di lui, non credendo ancora che fosse un discepolo. 27 Allora Barnaba lo prese con sé, lo presentò agli apostoli e raccontò loro come durante il viaggio aveva visto il Signore che gli aveva parlato, e come in Damasco aveva predicato con coraggio nel nome di Gesù. 28 Così egli potè stare con loro e andava e veniva a Gerusalemme, parlando apertamente nel nome del Signore 29 e parlava e discuteva con gli Ebrei di lingua greca; ma questi tentarono di ucciderlo. 30 Venutolo però a sapere i fratelli, lo condussero a Cesarèa e lo fecero partire per Tarso.
Periodo di tranquillità
31 La Chiesa era dunque in pace per tutta la Giudea, la Galilea e la Samaria; essa cresceva e camminava nel timore del Signore, colma del conforto dello Spirito Santo.
Pietro guarisce un paralitico a Lidda
32 E avvenne che mentre Pietro andava a far visita a tutti, si recò anche dai fedeli che dimoravano a Lidda. 33 Qui trovò un uomo di nome Enea, che da otto anni giaceva su un lettuccio ed era paralitico. 34 Pietro gli disse: «Enea, Gesù Cristo ti guarisce; alzati e rifatti il letto». E subito si alzò. 35 Lo videro tutti gli abitanti di Lidda e del Saròn e si convertirono al Signore.
Pietro risuscita una donna a Giaffa
36 A Giaffa c'era una discepola chiamata Tabità, nome che significa «Gazzella», la quale abbondava in opere buone e faceva molte elemosine. 37 Proprio in quei giorni si ammalò e morì. La lavarono e la deposero in una stanza al piano superiore. 38 E poiché Lidda era vicina a Giaffa i discepoli, udito che Pietro si trovava là, mandarono due uomini ad invitarlo: «Vieni subito da noi!». 39 E Pietro subito andò con loro. Appena arrivato lo condussero al piano superiore e gli si fecero incontro tutte le vedove in pianto che gli mostravano le tuniche e i mantelli che Gazzella confezionava quando era fra loro. 40 Pietro fece uscire tutti e si inginocchiò a pregare; poi rivolto alla salma disse: «Tabità, alzati!». Ed essa aprì gli occhi, vide Pietro e si mise a sedere. 41 Egli le diede la mano e la fece alzare, poi chiamò i credenti e le vedove, e la presentò loro viva.
42 La cosa si riseppe in tutta Giaffa, e molti credettero nel Signore. 43 Pietro rimase a Giaffa parecchi giorni, presso un certo Simone conciatore.
Acts 9
Common English Bible
Saul encounters the risen Jesus
9 Meanwhile, Saul was still spewing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest, 2 seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus. If he found persons who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, these letters would authorize him to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 During the journey, as he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven encircled him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him, “Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?”
5 Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?”
“I am Jesus, whom you are harassing,” came the reply. 6 “Now get up and enter the city. You will be told what you must do.”
7 Those traveling with him stood there speechless; they heard the voice but saw no one. 8 After they picked Saul up from the ground, he opened his eyes but he couldn’t see. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind and neither ate nor drank anything.
10 In Damascus there was a certain disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
He answered, “Yes, Lord.”
11 The Lord instructed him, “Go to Judas’ house on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias enter and put his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 Ananias countered, “Lord, I have heard many reports about this man. People say he has done horrible things to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 He’s here with authority from the chief priests to arrest everyone who calls on your name.”
15 The Lord replied, “Go! This man is the agent I have chosen to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
17 Ananias went to the house. He placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord sent me—Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you were coming here. He sent me so that you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly, flakes fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized. 19 After eating, he regained his strength.
He stayed with the disciples in Damascus for several days. 20 Right away, he began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues. “He is God’s Son,” he declared.
21 Everyone who heard him was baffled. They questioned each other, “Isn’t he the one who was wreaking havoc among those in Jerusalem who called on this name? Hadn’t he come here to take those same people as prisoners to the chief priests?”
22 But Saul grew stronger and stronger. He confused the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
23 After this had gone on for some time, the Jews hatched a plot to kill Saul. 24 However, he found out about their scheme. They were keeping watch at the city gates around the clock so they could assassinate him. 25 But his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the city wall.
26 When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him. They didn’t believe he was really a disciple. 27 Then Barnabas brought Saul to the apostles and told them the story about how Saul saw the Lord on the way and that the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them about the confidence with which Saul had preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus. 28 After this, Saul moved freely among the disciples in Jerusalem and was speaking with confidence in the name of the Lord. 29 He got into debates with the Greek-speaking Jews as well, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the family of believers learned about this, they escorted him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. God strengthened the church, and its life was marked by reverence for the Lord. Encouraged by the Holy Spirit, the church continued to grow in numbers.
Peter heals and raises the dead
32 As Peter toured the whole region, he went to visit God’s holy people in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas who was paralyzed and had been confined to his bed for eight years. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and make your bed.” At once he got up. 35 Everyone who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas). Her life overflowed with good works and compassionate acts on behalf of those in need. 37 About that time, though, she became so ill that she died. After they washed her body, they laid her in an upstairs room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two people to Peter. They urged, “Please come right away!” 39 Peter went with them. Upon his arrival, he was taken to the upstairs room. All the widows stood beside him, crying as they showed the tunics and other clothing Dorcas made when she was alive.
40 Peter sent everyone out of the room, then knelt and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and raised her up. Then he called God’s holy people, including the widows, and presented her alive to them. 42 The news spread throughout Joppa, and many put their faith in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed for some time in Joppa with a certain tanner named Simon.
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
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
