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Acts 9
Lexham English Bible

Saul’s Conversion on the Damascus Road

9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and[a] asked for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, both men and women, he could bring them[b] tied up[c] to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he proceeded, it happened that when he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting! 6 But get up and enter into the city, and it will be told to you what you must do.”[d] 7 (Now the men who were traveling together with him stood speechless, because they[e] heard the voice but saw no one.) 8 So Saul got up from the ground, but although[f] his eyes were open he could see nothing. And leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was unable to see[g] for three days, and he did not eat or drink.

Ananias Sent to Saul

10 Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus named[h] Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Behold, here I am, Lord!” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up, go to the street called ‘Straight’ and in the house of Judas look for a man named Saul from Tarsus.[i] For behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named[j] Ananias coming in and placing hands[k] on him so that he may regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to tie up[l] all who call upon your name!” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles[m] and kings and the sons of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered into the house, and placing his[n] 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 be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight and got up and[o] was baptized, 19 and after[p] taking food, he regained his strength. And he was with the disciples in Damascus several days.

Saul Proclaims Christ in Damascus

20 And immediately he began proclaiming[q] Jesus in the synagogues: “This one is the Son of God!” 21 And all who heard him[r] were amazed, and were saying, “Is this not the one who was wreaking havoc in Jerusalem on those who call upon this name, and had come here for this reason, that he could bring them tied up[s] to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul was increasing in strength even more, and was confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by[t] proving that this one is the Christ.[u]

23 And when many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted to do away with him. 24 But their plot became known to Saul, and they were also watching the gates both day and night so that they could do away with him. 25 But his disciples took him[v] at night and[w] let him down through the wall by[x] lowering him[y] in a basket.

Saul in Jerusalem

26 And when he[z] arrived in Jerusalem, he was attempting to associate with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they[aa] did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and[ab] brought him[ac] to the apostles and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was going in and going out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was speaking and debating with the Greek-speaking Jews,[ad] but they were trying to do away with him. 30 And when[ae] the brothers found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

31 Then the church throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being strengthened. And living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it was increasing in numbers.[af]

Aeneas Healed

32 Now it happened that as[ag] Peter was traveling through all the places,[ah] he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda. 33 And he found there a certain man named[ai] Aeneas who was paralyzed, who had been lying on a mat[aj] for eight years. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and make your bed yourself!” And immediately he got up. 35 And all those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, who all[ak] indeed turned to the Lord.

Dorcas Raised

36 Now in Joppa there was a certain female disciple named[al] Tabitha (which translated means “Dorcas”).[am] She was full of good deeds and charitable giving which she was constantly doing.[an] 37 Now it happened that in those days after[ao] becoming sick, she died. And after[ap] washing her,[aq] they placed her in an upstairs room. 38 And because[ar] Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, when they[as] heard that Peter was in Lydda,[at] sent two men to him, urging, “Do not delay to come to us!” 39 So Peter got up and[au] accompanied them. When he[av] arrived, they brought him[aw] up to the upstairs room, and all the widows came to him, weeping and showing him[ax] tunics and other clothing that Dorcas used to make while she[ay] was with them. 40 But Peter sent them all outside, and, falling to his[az] knees, he prayed. And turning toward the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” And she opened her eyes, and when she[ba] saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and[bb] raised her up. And he called the saints and the widows and[bc] presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And it happened that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.[bd]

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:2 Here “and” is supplied because the participle in the previous verse (“went to”) has been translated as a finite verb
  2. Acts 9:2 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  3. Acts 9:2 Or figuratively “bring them under arrest”
  4. Acts 9:6 Literally “what thing it is necessary that you do”
  5. Acts 9:7 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as causal
  6. Acts 9:8 Here “although” is supplied as a component of the genitive absolute participle (“were open”) which is understood as concessive
  7. Acts 9:9 Literally “not seeing”
  8. Acts 9:10 Literally “by name”
  9. Acts 9:11 Literally “Saul by name of Tarsus”
  10. Acts 9:12 Literally “by name”
  11. Acts 9:12 Some manuscripts have “placing his hands”
  12. Acts 9:14 Or figuratively “to arrest” or “to imprison”
  13. Acts 9:15 The same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context
  14. Acts 9:17 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  15. Acts 9:18 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  16. Acts 9:19 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“taking”) which is understood as temporal
  17. Acts 9:20 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began proclaiming”)
  18. Acts 9:21 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  19. Acts 9:21 Or figuratively “bring them under arrest”
  20. Acts 9:22 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“proving”) which is understood as means
  21. Acts 9:22 Or “Messiah”
  22. Acts 9:25 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  23. Acts 9:25 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
  24. Acts 9:25 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“lowering”) which is understood as means
  25. Acts 9:25 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  26. Acts 9:26 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal
  27. Acts 9:26 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“believe”) which is understood as causal
  28. Acts 9:27 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
  29. Acts 9:27 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  30. Acts 9:29 Literally “Hellenists”
  31. Acts 9:30 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“found out”) which is understood as temporal
  32. Acts 9:31 *The words “in numbers” are not in the Greek text but are implied
  33. Acts 9:32 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was traveling”) which is understood as temporal
  34. Acts 9:32 *The words “the places” are not in the Greek text but are implied
  35. Acts 9:33 Literally “by name”
  36. Acts 9:33 Or “mattress”
  37. Acts 9:35 Here “all” is supplied to indicate the relative pronoun is plural
  38. Acts 9:36 Literally “by name”
  39. Acts 9:36 “Dorcas” is the Greek translation of the Aramaic name “Tabitha” which means “deer” or “gazelle”
  40. Acts 9:36 *Here the imperfect verb is translated as a customary imperfect (“was constantly doing”)
  41. Acts 9:37 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“becoming sick”) which is understood as temporal
  42. Acts 9:37 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“washing”) which is understood as temporal
  43. Acts 9:37 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  44. Acts 9:38 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as causal
  45. Acts 9:38 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  46. Acts 9:38 Literally “in it”
  47. Acts 9:39 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  48. Acts 9:39 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal
  49. Acts 9:39 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  50. Acts 9:39 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  51. Acts 9:39 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as temporal
  52. Acts 9:40 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  53. Acts 9:40 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  54. Acts 9:41 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“gave”) has been translated as a finite verb
  55. Acts 9:41 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“called”) has been translated as a finite verb
  56. Acts 9:43 Or “with a certain Simon Berseus”; most modern English versions treat the word as Simon’s profession (“Simon the tanner”), but the word may actually be a surname (“Simon Berseus” or “Simon Tanner”)
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Acts 9
New International Version

Saul’s Conversion(A)

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.(B) He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,(C) so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,(D) whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.(E) 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice(F) say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”(G)

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound(H) but did not see anyone.(I) 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.(J) So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,(K) “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus(L) named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on(M) him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people(N) in Jerusalem.(O) 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests(P) to arrest all who call on your name.”(Q)

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument(R) to proclaim my name to the Gentiles(S) and their kings(T) and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”(U)

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on(V) Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”(W) 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,(X) 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples(Y) in Damascus.(Z) 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues(AA) that Jesus is the Son of God.(AB) 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?(AC) And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”(AD) 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.(AE)

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,(AF) 24 but Saul learned of their plan.(AG) Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.(AH)

26 When he came to Jerusalem,(AI) he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas(AJ) took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him,(AK) and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.(AL) 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a](AM) but they tried to kill him.(AN) 30 When the believers(AO) learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea(AP) and sent him off to Tarsus.(AQ)

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria(AR) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.(AS)

Aeneas and Dorcas

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people(AT) who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you.(AU) Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon(AV) saw him and turned to the Lord.(AW)

36 In Joppa(AX) there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good(AY) and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.(AZ) 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples(BA) heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows(BB) stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room;(BC) then he got down on his knees(BD) and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.”(BE) She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.(BF) 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.(BG)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:29 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture
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