1 Entretanto, Saulo, ameaçador e desejoso de destruir todos os discípulos do Senhor, dirigiu-se ao supremo sacerdote, em Jerusalém, pedindo-lhe que lhe fosse passada uma carta credencial dirigida às sinagogas de Damasco, exigindo a cooperação destas na perseguição de quaisquer seguidores do Caminho que Saulo aí encontrasse, tanto homens como mulheres, para que pudesse levá-los acorrentados para Jerusalém.3 Ao aproximar-se de Damasco no cumprimento desta missão, uma luz brilhante vinda do céu fixou-se, de súbito, sobre ele. Caindo no chão, ouviu uma voz que lhe dizia: Saulo, Saulo, por que me persegues?5 Quem és tu, Senhor?, perguntou.Sou Jesus, aquele a quem tu persegues! Levanta-te, vai para a cidade e espera por instruções minhas.7 Os homens que acompanhavam Saulo ficaram mudos de surpresa, pois ouviam uma voz mas não viam ninguém8 Quando Saulo se levantou, verificou que deixara de ver. Tiveram de o levar pela mão até Damasco, onde ficou três dias sem comer nem beber.10 Ora, havia em Damasco um discípulo chamado Ananias, a quem o Senhor falou numa visão, chamando-o: Ananias!Aqui estou, Senhor!, respondeu.11 O Senhor disse: Vai à rua Direita, procura em casa de Judas um homem chamado Saulo de Tarso. Neste momento está ele a orar, pois mostrei-lhe em visão alguém chamado Ananias que deverá procurá-lo e que porá as mãos sobre ele para que torne a ver!13 Mas, Senhor, exclamou Ananias, contaram-me coisas terríveis que este homem fez aos crentes de Jerusalém! E consta que tem mandatos de prisão, passados pelos principais dos sacerdotes, autorizando-o a prender, em Damasco, todos os que invocam o teu nome!15 O Senhor insistiu: Vai, pois Saulo é o meu instrumento escolhido para levar a minha mensagem às nações e até à presença dos reis, bem como ao povo de Israel. E mostrar-lhe-ei quanto ele deverá sofrer por mim.17 Ananias obedeceu. Na presença de Saulo, pôs as mãos sobre ele e disse-lhe: Irmão Saulo, o Senhor Jesus, que te apareceu no caminho, enviou-me para que sejas cheio do Espírito Santo e tornes a ver.18 Imediatamente, caindo-lhe como que umas escamas dos olhos, Saulo recuperou a vista, e, levantando-se, foi baptizado.19 Saulo ficou com os crentes de Damasco durante alguns dias,20 indo logo à sinagoga anunciar as boas novas a respeito de Jesus, afirmando que ele era na verdade o Filho de Deus!21 E todos quantos o escutavam ficavam pasmados: Não é este o homem que perseguia os seguidores de Jesus em Jerusalém? E consta que veio cá para os prender e levá-los acorrentados aos principais dos sacerdotes!22 As pregações de Saulo eram cada vez mais fervorosas, e os judeus de Damasco não conseguiam refutar às provas que ele apresentava de como Jesus era o Cristo23 Uns tempos depois, os judeus resolveram matá-lo.24 Mas Saulo foi informado dos seus planos e de que vigiavam as portas da cidade dia e noite prontos a tirar-lhe a vida.25 Assim, durante a noite, alguns dos que se haviam convertido por seu intermédio passaram-no para fora, baixando-o numa cesta pela muralha da cidade.26 Chegando a Jerusalém, tentou pôr-se em contacto com os crentes, mas todos tinham medo dele, pensando que fosse um impostor. Barnabé conduziu-o junto dos apóstolos e contou-lhes como Saulo vira o Senhor na estrada de Damasco e o que o Senhor lhe dissera, mencionando também as suas poderosas pregações em nome de Jesus, em Damasco.28 Aceitaram-no então, e a partir daí Saulo andava sempre com os crentes, pregando com coragem em nome do Senhor. Mas alguns judeus de língua grega, com os quais ele discutira, combinaram assassiná-lo. Quando os outros crentes souberam do perigo que corria, levaram-no para Cesareia, enviando-o depois para a sua terra em Tarso.31 Entretanto, a igreja vivia em paz em toda a Judeia, Galileia e Samaria, crescendo com força e em número. Os crentes aprendiam a caminhar no temor do Senhor e na força do Espírito Santo.32 Pedro viajava de terra em terra, e foi ver os crentes da cidade de Lida.33 Aí encontrou um homem chamado Eneias, paralisado e incapaz de sair do leito havia oito anos. Pedro disse-lhe: Eneias, Jesus Cristo dá-te saúde. Levanta-te e faz a tua cama! O homem ficou logo bom, e toda a população de Lida e Sarona voltou-se para o Senhor ao ver Eneias a andar normalmente.36 Havia na cidade de Jope uma mulher discípula chamada Tabita , uma crente que estava sempre a fazer bem aos outros, especialmente aos pobres. Por esta altura, Tabita adoeceu e morreu. As pessoas suas amigas prepararam-na para o funeral e puseram-na num quarto superior. Ao saberem que Pedro se encontrava ali perto em Lida, mandaram dois homens pedir-lhe que fosse com eles a Jope.39 Pedro assim fez, e logo que chegou levaram-no ao quarto onde Tabita se encontrava. O compartimento estava cheio de viúvas que choravam e mostravam as túnicas e outra roupa que Tabita lhes fizera.40 Mas Pedro, pedindo a todos que saíssem do quarto, ajoelhou-se, orou e voltando-se para o corpo disse: Levanta-te, Tabita!, e ela abriu os olhos. Quando viu Pedro, sentou-se.41 Pedro estendeu-lhe a mão, ajudou-a a pôr-se de pé e, chamando os crentes e as viúvas, apresentou-lhes a ressuscitada.42 A notícia espalhou-se rapidamente pela cidade, e foram muitos os que creram no Senhor.43 Pedro ficou ainda durante muito tempo em Jope, vivendo com Simão o curtidor.

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,2 And desired from him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he should find any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined around him a light from heaven:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the goads.6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: 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.10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.11 And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth,12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias, coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests, to bind all that call on thy name.15 But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.17 And Ananias went, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord (even Jesus that appeared to thee in the way as thou camest) hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.19 And when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples who were at Damascus.20 And immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that destroyed them who called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.23 And after many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him.24 But their laying in wait, was known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he essayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified: and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied.32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints who dwelt at Lydda.33 And there he found a certain man named Eneas, who had kept his bed eight years, and was sick with the palsy.34 And Peter said to him, Eneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, who by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did.37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom, when they had washed, they laid in an upper chamber.38 And as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent to him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.39 Then Peter arose, and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.42 And it was known throughout all Joppa: and many believed in the Lord.43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.