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Now Sha’ul, still breathing a threat even of retzach (murder) keneged (against) the talmidim of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu, having approached the Kohen Gadol,

Requested from him iggrot of reshus (authorization) to the shuls of Damascus, that if someone he should find being mishtatef (involved) in HaDerech [Hashem], both anashim and nashim, he may lead them bound to Yerushalayim. [Isa 17:1; Jer 49:23]

Now as he goes, it came about that he comes near Damascus, and suddenly shone around him an Ohr (Light) from Shomayim;

And he fell on the ground, and heard a kol (voice), saying to him, "Sha’ul, Sha’ul, why are you persecuting me?" [YESHAYAH 6:8]

And he said, "Who are you, Adoni?" And he said, "I am Yehoshua/Yeshua upon whom you bring redifah.

"But get up and enter into the city, and it shall be told to you what it is necessary for you to do." [Ezek 3:22]

And the anashim traveling with Rav Sha’ul had stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one. [DANIEL 10:7]

And Rav Sha’ul got up from the ground, and, though his eyes were open, he was seeing nothing. And leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.

And he was shloshah yamim not seeing and neither did he eat nor drink.

10 Now there was a certain talmid in Damascus, by the name Chananyah, and Moshiach Adoneinu spoke to him in a chazon (vision), saying, "Chananyah." And he said, "Hinei, I am here, Adoni."

11 And Moshiach Adoneinu said to him, "Get up and go to the rekhov (street) being called "Yashar" ("Straight") and seek in the bais of Yehudah an ish by name Sha’ul from Tarsus. For, hinei, he is davening,

12 "And Sha’ul has seen in a chazon (vision) an ish by the name Chananyah come in and place his hands upon him that he may see again."

13 And Chananyah answered, "Adoni, I heard from many about this man, how many ra’ot (evil things) he did to your Kadoshim in Yerushalayim.

14 "And here he has samchut (authority) from the Rashei Kohanim to bind all the ones davening b’Shem of you."

15 But Moshiach Adoneinu said to him, "Go, for this one is a keli nivchar (chosen vessel) of mine to carry Shmi before both Goyim and melachim (kings) and the Bnei Yisroel.

16 "For I will show him how much it is necessary for him to undergo yissurim (sufferings) on behalf of Shmi (my Name)."

17 And Chananyah departed and entered into the bais, and having placed his hands upon Rav Sha’ul, he said, "Ach b’Moshiach Sha’ul, [Moshiach, Malachi 3:1] HaAdon has sent me. I’m referring to Yehoshua, the one who appeared to you on the derech by which you were coming. He sent me that you may see again and may be filled with the Ruach Hakodesh."

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and Rav Sha’ul saw again, and, having got up, he submitted to Moshiach’s tevilah of teshuva.

19 And having received okhel (food), Rav Sha’ul regained strength. Now he was with the talmidim in Damascus several yamim.

20 And immediately in the shuls Rav Sha’ul was preaching Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua, saying, "He is the Ben HaElohim."

21 And all the ones listening were astonished, and they were saying, "Is this not the one making havoc in Yerushalayim among the ones invoking this shem and was not his tachlis (purpose) in coming here to bind them over before the Rashei Hakohanim?"

22 But Rav Sha’ul even more was being strengthened and was confounding the unbelieving Yehudim dwelling in Damascus, by proving that this Yehoshua is the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.

23 But when yamim rabbim were completed, the ones of the Yehudim who were unbelieving plotted to kill him.

24 But the mezimma (evil design, intrigue) of their kesher (plot) became known to Rav Sha’ul. And they were also watching the she’arim (gates) both yomam valailah that they might kill him,

25 but Moshiach’s talmidim had taken him b’lailah and they let him down through an opening in the wall, having lowered him in a large basket. [SHMUEL ALEF 19:12]

26 And having arrived in Yerushalayim, Rav Sha’ul was trying to associate with the Moshiach’s talmidim, and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he is a talmid.

27 But Bar-Nabba, having taken hold of him, brought him to Moshiach’s Shluchim and told them how on the derech he saw Moshiach Adoneinu, who had spoken to Rav Sha’ul, and how in Damascus Rav Sha’ul spoke with ometz lev (boldness) b’Shem Yehoshua.

28 And Rav Sha’ul was with them, going in and coming out in Yerushalayim, speaking boldly b’Shem Moshiach Adoneinu.

29 And Rav Sha’ul was speaking and debating keneged (against) the Greekspeaking Yehudim; but they were attempting to kill him.

30 But having learned of this, the Achim b’Moshiach brought Rav Sha’ul down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

31 Then Moshiach’s Kehillah throughout all of Yehudah and the Galil and Shomron had shalom and was increasing, being built up, and going on in the yir’at Shomayim and in the yir’at Moshiach Adoneinu and beNechamat HaRuach Hakodesh.

32 Now it came about that Kefa, passing through all the parts of Eretz Yisrael, came down also to Moshiach’s kadoshim dwelling in Lud.

33 And there Kefa found a certain ish by the name Aeneas who had been bedridden shmoneh shanim, for he was paralyzed.

34 And Kefa said to him, "Aeneas, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua make you whole. Get up and make your bed!" And immediately he got up.

35 And everyone dwelling in Lud and Sharon saw him, and they turned to Adoneinu. [MELACHIM ALEF 5:16; 27:29; 2:1; YESHAYAH 33:9; 35:2;65:10]

36 Now in Yafo there was a certain talmidah by the name Tavitha, which, being translated, means "gazelle." This one was abounding in ma’asim tovim and in giving tzedakah, which she was always doing. [YEHOSHUA 19:46; MELACHIM BAIS 2:16; EZRA 3:7]

37 And it came about in yamim hahem that this one, having become ill, passed away. When the women had washed her body, they laid it in the aliyyah.

38 And since Lud was near to Yafo, Moshiach’s talmidim, having heard that Kefa was there, sent shnei anashim to him, summoning Kefa that he not delay in coming to them.

39 Kefa, getting up, went with them. And when he arrived, they brought him up into the aliyyah (upper story room), and all the almanot stood beside him, weeping and showing the tunics and garments that Tavitha made while she was with them.

40 But Kefa, having put everyone outside, and having fallen down, davened. And when he turned to the nifteret (deceased), he said, "Tavitha, get up!" And she opened her eynayim and, having seen Kefa, she sat up.

41 And having given his hand to her, he made her to stand up alive again; and, having called the Moshiach’s Kadoshim and the almanot, Kefa presented her lebedik (alive) before them.

42 It became known throughout all Yafo, and rabbim (many) had emunah in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu.

43 And it came about that Kefa remained in Yafo yamim rabbim with a certain Shimon, a tanner.

Saul’s Conversion(A)

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.(B) He went to the high priest 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. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.(E) He fell to the ground and heard a voice(F) say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

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

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound(H) but did not see anyone.(I) 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. 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