1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against
the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2And desired of
him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this
way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto
Jerusalem.
3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5And 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 pricks.
6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a
voice, but seeing no man. 8And 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. 9And he was three days without sight, and
neither did eat nor drink.
10And 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.
11And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street
which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one
called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12And hath seen in a
vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that
he might receive his sight.
13Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man,
how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14And here he
hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy
name.
15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen
vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the
children of Israel: 16For I will shew him how great things he must
suffer for my name’s sake.
17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and
putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that
appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou
mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18And
immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he
received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
19And when he had
received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at
Damascus.
20And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that
he is the Son of God.
21But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is
not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem,
and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto
the chief priests?
22But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
23And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel
to kill him: 24But their laying await was known of Saul. And they
watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25Then the disciples took
him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
26And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself
to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that
he was a disciple.
27But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and
declared unto 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. 28And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
29And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed
against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30Which when the
brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to
Tarsus.
31Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and
Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in
the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
32And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he
came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 33And there he found
a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was
sick of the palsy.
34And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ
maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed.
And he arose immediately.
35And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which
by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works
and almsdeeds which she did. 37And it came to pass in those days, that
she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an
upper chamber.
38And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the
disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men,
desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39Then Peter
arose and went with them.
When he was come, they brought him into the
upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the
coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40But
Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him
to the body said, Tabitha, arise.
And she opened her eyes: and when she
saw Peter, she sat up. 41And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up,
and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42And
it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
43And
it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a
tanner.