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Conversión de Saulo(A)

Saulo aún lanzaba amenazas de muerte contra los discípulos del Señor cuando fue a ver al sumo sacerdote. Allí le pidió cartas para las sinagogas de Damasco para que, en caso de hallar a hombres o mujeres de este Camino, los pudiera llevar presos a Jerusalén. Pero sucedió que de pronto en el camino, ya cerca de Damasco, lo rodeó un poderoso haz de luz que venía del cielo y que lo hizo rodar por tierra, mientras oía una voz que le decía: «Saulo, Saulo, ¿por qué me persigues?» Y él contestó: «¿Quién eres, Señor?» Y la voz le dijo: «Yo soy Jesús, a quien tú persigues. [Dura cosa te es dar de coces contra el aguijón. Él, temblando de temor, dijo: “Señor, ¿qué quieres que yo haga?” Y el Señor le dijo:][a] Levántate y entra en la ciudad. Allí se te dirá lo que debes hacer.» Los acompañantes de Saulo se quedaron atónitos, porque oían la voz pero no veían a nadie. Saulo se levantó y, cuando abrió los ojos, ya no podía ver, así que de la mano lo llevaron a Damasco, y allí estuvo tres días sin poder ver, y tampoco comió ni bebió nada.

10 En Damasco había un discípulo llamado Ananías, que había tenido una visión en la que el Señor lo llamaba por su nombre. Ananías había respondido: «Aquí me tienes, Señor.» 11 El Señor le dijo: «Levántate y ve a la calle llamada “Derecha”; allí, en la casa de Judas, busca a un hombre llamado Saulo, que es de Tarso y está orando. 12 Saulo ha tenido una visión, en la que vio que un varón llamado Ananías entraba y le imponía las manos, con lo que le hacía recobrar la vista.» 13 Ananías respondió: «Pero, Señor, he sabido que este hombre ha tratado muy mal a tus santos en Jerusalén. 14 También sé que los principales sacerdotes le han dado autoridad para aprehender a todos los que invocan tu nombre.» 15 Y el Señor le dijo: «Ve allá, porque él es para mí un instrumento escogido. Él va a llevar mi nombre a las naciones, a los reyes y a los hijos de Israel. 16 Yo le voy a mostrar todo lo que tiene que sufrir por causa de mi nombre.» 17 Ananías fue y, una vez dentro de la casa, le impuso las manos y le dijo: «Hermano Saulo, el Señor Jesús, que se te apareció en el camino por donde venías, me ha enviado para que recobres la vista y seas lleno del Espíritu Santo.» 18 Al momento, de los ojos de Saulo cayó algo que parecían escamas, y éste recibió la vista. Luego que se levantó, fue bautizado; 19 y después de comer recobró las fuerzas y durante algunos días se quedó con los discípulos que estaban en Damasco.

Saulo predica en Damasco

20 Enseguida Pablo comenzó a predicar en las sinagogas, donde afirmaba que Jesús era el Hijo de Dios. 21 Todos los que lo oían predicar se quedaban atónitos, y decían: «¿Acaso no es éste el que exterminaba en Jerusalén a los que invocaban el nombre de Jesús? ¿No es verdad que vino acá para aprehenderlos y llevarlos ante los principales sacerdotes?» 22 Pero Saulo iba cobrando más fuerza, y confundía a los judíos que vivían en Damasco al demostrarles que Jesús era el Cristo.

Saulo escapa de los judíos

23 Después de algún tiempo los judíos se reunieron en consejo y resolvieron matarlo, 24 así que día y noche hacían guardia a la entrada de la ciudad para matarlo. Pero Pablo se enteró de sus planes, 25 y una noche los discípulos lo pusieron dentro de una canasta y lo bajaron por la muralla de la ciudad.(B)

Saulo en Jerusalén

26 Cuando Saulo llegó a Jerusalén, tuvo la intención de reunirse con los discípulos; pero todos le tenían miedo porque no creían que fuera uno de ellos. 27 Entonces Bernabé se encargó de llevar a Saulo ante los apóstoles, y allí les contó cómo Saulo había visto al Señor en el camino, cómo había hablado con él, y con qué valor había predicado en Damasco en el nombre de Jesús. 28 Desde entonces Pablo pudo quedarse en Jerusalén con los apóstoles, y entraba y salía de la ciudad, 29 y hablaba con los griegos y debatía con ellos, pero éstos trataban de matarlo. 30 Cuando los hermanos supieron esto, lo llevaron hasta Cesarea y lo enviaron a Tarso. 31 Mientras tanto, las iglesias en toda Judea, Galilea y Samaria vivían en paz y eran edificadas en el temor del Señor, y su número iba en aumento por la fuerza del Espíritu Santo.

Curación de Eneas

32 Pedro visitaba a todos los hermanos, así que también visitó a los santos que vivían en Lida. 33 Allí había un hombre llamado Eneas, que tenía ocho años de estar en cama, pues era paralítico. 34 Cuando Pedro lo vio, le dijo: «Eneas, Jesucristo te ha sanado. Levántate y arréglate.» Y Eneas se levantó enseguida. 35 Al ver esto, los habitantes de Lida y de Sarón se convirtieron al Señor.

Resurrección de Dorcas

36 En Jope había una discípula llamada Tabitá, es decir, Dorcas.[b] Tabitá siempre hacía muchas buenas obras y ayudaba mucho a la gente pobre. 37 Pero sucedió que en esos días se enfermó y murió. Entonces lavaron su cadáver, y luego lo pusieron en una sala. 38 Como Lida estaba cerca de Jope, los discípulos supieron que Pedro estaba allí; entonces enviaron a dos hombres para pedirle que fuera a Jope urgentemente. 39 Pedro se levantó y se fue con ellos. Cuando llegó, lo llevaron a la sala. Allí, todas las viudas lo rodearon y, mientras lloraban, le mostraron las túnicas y los vestidos que Dorcas había hecho cuando vivía. 40 Entonces Pedro pidió que salieran todos; luego se puso de rodillas y, dirigiéndose al cuerpo, oró y dijo: «Tabitá, ¡levántate!» Ella abrió los ojos y, cuando vio a Pedro, se puso de pie. 41 Pedro le dio la mano y la levantó; luego llamó a los santos y a las viudas, y les entregó viva a Tabitá. 42 Esto llegó a saberse en toda Jope, y muchos creyeron en el Señor. 43 Durante muchos días Pedro se quedó en Jope, en la casa de un curtidor llamado Simón.

Footnotes

  1. Hechos 9:6 El texto que aparece entre corchetes se halla sólo en mss. tardíos.
  2. Hechos 9:36 Tanto el nombre arameo Tabitá como su equivalente griego Dorcas significan gacela.

The Damascus Road: Saul Converted(A)

Then (B)Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 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.

(D)As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, (E)why are you persecuting Me?”

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.”

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.”

And (F)the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 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. 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

  1. Acts 9:5 NU, M omit the rest of v. 5 and begin v. 6 with But arise and go
  2. Acts 9:13 bad things
  3. Acts 9:15 Lit. sons
  4. Acts 9:17 M omits Jesus
  5. Acts 9:20 NU Jesus
  6. Acts 9:29 Greek-speaking Jews
  7. Acts 9:31 NU church . . . was
  8. Acts 9:31 built up
  9. Acts 9:36 Lit., in Aram., Gazelle
  10. Acts 9:36 Lit., in Gr., Gazelle

Saul’s Conversion(A)

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.(B) He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,(C) so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,(D) whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.(E) He fell to the ground and heard a voice(F) say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”(G)

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound(H) but did not see anyone.(I) Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.(J) So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,(K) “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus(L) named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on(M) him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people(N) in Jerusalem.(O) 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests(P) to arrest all who call on your name.”(Q)

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument(R) to proclaim my name to the Gentiles(S) and their kings(T) and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”(U)

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on(V) Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”(W) 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,(X) 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples(Y) in Damascus.(Z) 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues(AA) that Jesus is the Son of God.(AB) 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?(AC) And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”(AD) 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.(AE)

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,(AF) 24 but Saul learned of their plan.(AG) Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.(AH)

26 When he came to Jerusalem,(AI) he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas(AJ) took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him,(AK) and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.(AL) 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a](AM) but they tried to kill him.(AN) 30 When the believers(AO) learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea(AP) and sent him off to Tarsus.(AQ)

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria(AR) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.(AS)

Aeneas and Dorcas

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people(AT) who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you.(AU) Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon(AV) saw him and turned to the Lord.(AW)

36 In Joppa(AX) there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good(AY) and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.(AZ) 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples(BA) heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows(BB) stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room;(BC) then he got down on his knees(BD) and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.”(BE) She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.(BF) 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.(BG)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:29 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture