Act 9 | ESV | STEP | But Saul , still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord , went to the high priest

1 But Saul, ^astill ^bbreathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to ^cthe high priest 2 and asked him for letters ^dto the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to ^ethe Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 ^fNow 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 ^gme?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, ^hwhom you are persecuting. 6 But ⁱrise and enter the city, and you will be told ^jwhat you are to do.” 7 ^kThe men who were traveling with him stood speechless, ^lhearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, ^mhe 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 ⁿAnanias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, ^o“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 ^pof Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and ^qlay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, ^rhow much evil he has done to ^syour ^tsaints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from ^uthe chief priests to bind all who ^vcall on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for ^whe is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name ^xbefore the Gentiles and ^ykings and the children of Israel. 16 For ^zI will show him how much ^aahe must suffer ^abfor the sake of my name.” 17 So ^acAnanias departed and entered the house. And ^adlaying 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 ^aebe filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and ^afhe regained his sight. Then ^aghe rose and was baptized; 19 and ^ahtaking food, he was strengthened.

Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues

For ^aisome days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ^aj“He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who ^akmade havoc ^alin 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 ^amincreased all the more in strength, and ^anconfounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving ^aothat Jesus was the Christ.

Saul Escapes from Damascus

23 ^apWhen many days had passed, the Jews ^{▼▼The Greek word Ioudaioi refers specifically here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time} plotted to kill him, 24 but their ^arplot became known to Saul. ^asThey were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and ^atlet him down through an opening in the wall, ^{▼▼Greek through the wall} lowering him in a basket.

Saul in Jerusalem

26 And ^avwhen 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 ^awBarnabas took him and ^axbrought him to the apostles and declared to them ^ayhow on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and ^azhow at Damascus he had ^bapreached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went ^bbin and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against ^bcthe Hellenists. ^{▼▼That is, Greek-speaking Jews} But ^bethey were seeking to kill him. 30 And when ^bfthe brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off ^bgto Tarsus.

31 So ^bhthe church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And ^biwalking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, ^bjit multiplied.

The Healing of Aeneas

32 Now ^bkas 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, ^blJesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 ^bmAnd all the residents of Lydda and ^bnSharon saw him, and ^bothey turned to the Lord.

Dorcas Restored to Life

36 Now there was in ^bpJoppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. ^{▼▼The Aramaic name Tabitha and the Greek name Dorcas both mean gazelle} She was full of ^brgood works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in ^bsan upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, ^bt“Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to ^buthe upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics ^{▼▼Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin} and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter ^bwput them all outside, and ^bxknelt down and prayed; and turning to the body ^byhe 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 ^bzmany believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days ^cawith one Simon, a tanner.