Acts 9
The Conversion of Saul
But Saul, astill bbreathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to cthe high priest 2 and asked him for letters ato the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to bthe Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 aNow 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 ame?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, awhom you are persecuting. 6 But arise and enter the city, and you will be told bwhat you are to do.” 7 aThe men who were traveling with him stood speechless, bhearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, ahe 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 aAnanias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, b“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 aof Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and alay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, ahow much evil he has done to byour csaints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from athe chief priests to bind all who bcall on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for ahe is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name bbefore the Gentiles and ckings and the children of Israel. 16 For aI will show him how much bhe must suffer cfor the sake of my name.” 17 So aAnanias departed and entered the house. And blaying 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 cbe filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and ahe regained his sight. Then bhe rose and was baptized; 19 and ataking food, he was strengthened.
For bsome days he was with the disciples at Damascus.
Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues
20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, a“He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who amade havoc bin 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 aincreased all the more in strength, and bconfounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving cthat Jesus was the Christ.
Saul Escapes from Damascus
23 aWhen many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24 but their aplot became known to Saul. bThey were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and alet him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.
Saul in Jerusalem
26 And awhen 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 aBarnabas took him and bbrought him to the apostles and declared to them chow on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and dhow at Damascus he had epreached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went ain and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against athe Hellenists. But bthey were seeking to kill him. 30 And when athe brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off bto Tarsus.
31 So athe church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And bwalking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, cit multiplied.
The Healing of Aeneas
32 Now aas 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, aJesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 aAnd all the residents of Lydda and bSharon saw him, and cthey turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Restored to Life
36 Now there was in aJoppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of bgood works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in aan upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, a“Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to athe upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter aput them all outside, and bknelt down and prayed; and turning to the body che 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 amany believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days awith one Simon, a tanner.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.