1 SAUL was still breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the High Priest

2 and asked from him letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that if he should find any persons who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 On his journey he was getting near to Damascus when suddenly a light from heaven flashed round him.

4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"

5 He asked, "Who is speaking?" The answer was, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.

6 But stand up and go into the city and it will be told you what you must do."

7 The men who were on the road with him stood struck dumb, hearing the voice, but seeing no one.

8 Saul rose from the earth and opened his eyes, but he could see nothing. Taking him by the hand they led him into Damascus,

9 and he was three days without seeing, and neither ate nor drank.

10 There was in Damascus a certain disciple named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord."

11 The Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight street, and ask in the house of Judas for a man named Saul from Tarsus. He is now in prayer,

12 and has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him in order that he may receive his sight."

13 Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard about this man from many people \'97 how many wicked things he has done to thy holy ones in Jerusalem,

14 and here he has authority from the high priests to bind all who call upon thy name."

15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before nations and kings and the children of Israel.

16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

17 Ananias went and entered the house and put his hands on Saul, and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me \'97 Jesus who appeared to you on the road as you were coming \'97 that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

18 Immediately scales seemed to fall from his eyes and he could see, and he arose and was baptized,

19 and after taking food he regained his strength. Saul passed some days with the disciples who were in Damascus,

20 and at once he began to proclaim in the synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God.

21 All who heard him were astonished and said, "Is not this the man who in Jerusalem persecuted those who call on this name, and who came here for the very purpose of binding and taking them to the high priests?"

22 But Saul grew stronger and put to confusion the Jews who lived at Damascus, as he proved that this man was the Christ.

23 When a number of days had passed, the Jews plotted to put him out of the way,

24 but this became known to Saul. They watched the gates day and night to seize him.

25 But the disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

26 When Saul reached Jerusalem, he tried to attach himself to the disciples, but all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road and how the Lord had spoken to him, and how courageously he had spoken in Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28 After that Saul was with them in Jerusalem, going out and in

29 and speaking freely in the name of the Lord. He frequently spoke and debated with the Greek-speaking Jews. But they kept trying to put him out of the way.

30 When the brethren learned of it, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

31 So the church had peace throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and was built up, and advancing in the reverence of the Lord and by the encouragement of the Holy Spirit grew continually in numbers.

32 It happened that Peter, while passing about among all the holy, came down also to those who were dwelling at Lydda.

33 He found there a man named Aeneas who had been for eight years lying on a pallet, for he was a paralytic.

34 Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ is healing you. Rise up and make your bed." Immediately he arose.

35 All who were living in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha in Greek Dorcas, Gazelle. She abounded in good works and acts of kindness which she was accustomed to do.

37 It happened at that time that she fell sick and died. They bathed her and laid her out in an upper room.

38 Since Lydda was near to Joppa and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him begging him, "Do not delay to come on down to us."

39 Peter arose and went along with them. On his arrival they took him up to the room. All of the widows came around him wailing and showing the tunics and cloaks that Dorcas had made while she was with them.

40 Peter sent them all out and kneeling down he prayed. Then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.

41 Giving her his hand he raised her to her feet. Then calling the holy and the widows he presented her to them alive.

42 This became known through all Joppa and many believed in the Lord.

43 Peter stayed in Joppa many days with a man named Simon, a tanner.