Book of Common Prayer

God Tells Ananias To Go Give Saul His Sight, For He Is God’s Chosen Instrument

¹⁰ Now a certain disciple was in Damascus— Ananias by name. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias”. And the one said, “Behold, I am here, Lord”. ¹¹ And the Lord said to him, “Having arisen, go on the lane being called ‘Straight’, and seek one-from-Tarsus, Saul by name, in the house of Judas. For behold— he is praying. ¹² And he saw a man in a vision, Ananias by name, having come in and laid hands on him so that he might see-again”. ¹³ And Ananias responded, “Lord, I heard about this man from many— how many bad things he did to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all the ones calling-upon Your name”. ¹⁵ And the Lord said to him, “Go, because this one is a chosen instrument^[a] for Me— that he might carry My name before both Gentiles and kings, and sons of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how-many things he must suffer for My name”. ¹⁷ And Ananias departed, and entered into the house. And having laid his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me forth— Jesus, the One having appeared to you on the road on which you were coming— so that you may see-again and be filled with the Holy Spirit”. ¹⁸ And immediately something like scales^[b] fell from his eyes. And he saw-again^[c], and having arisen, was baptized. ¹⁹ And having taken food, he strengthened.

Saul Begins Proclaiming Christ In Damascus. He Escapes a Plot To Kill Him

Now he came-to-be with the disciples in Damascus for some days.

³² And two other^[a] criminals were also being led to be executed with Him. ³³ And when they came to the place being called “The Skull^[b]”, there they crucified Him and the criminals— one on the right side, and the other on the left side. ³⁴ But^[c] Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”. And they cast lots, dividing His garments among themselves.

The King of The Jews Is Mocked While Hanging On The Cross

³⁵ And the people were standing there watching. And the rulers were also sneering-at Him, saying “He saved others. Let Him save Himself if this One is the Christ of God, the Chosen One”. ³⁶ And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming to Him, offering Him sour-wine^[d], ³⁷ and saying “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself ”. ³⁸ And there was also an inscription over Him— “This is the King of the Jews”. ³⁹ And one of the criminals having been hung was blaspheming Him, saying “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us”. ⁴⁰ But having responded, the other, rebuking him, said “Do you not even fear God? Because you are under the same condemnation^[e]! ⁴¹ And we are suffering justly, for we are receiving-back things worthy of the things which we did— but this One did nothing out-of-place^[f]”. ⁴² And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom”. ⁴³ And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, you will be with Me today in paradise”.