AICNT ACTs chapter 9

9 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, approached the high priest 2 and asked for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, it happened that he drew near to Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 He said, “Who are you, Lord?” And {he replied},[fn] “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul; for he is praying, 12 and he has seen [in a vision][fn] a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”

13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many 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 bind all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles 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 went and entered the house, and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord [Jesus],[fn] 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 getting up, he was baptized. 19 And after taking some food, he was strengthened.

{He}[fn] spent some days with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim {Jesus}[fn] in the synagogues, saying, “This is the Son of God.”

21 All who heard were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who ravaged those who called on this name in Jerusalem and came here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?”

22 But Saul was increasingly empowered and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this is the Christ. 23 When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might kill him; 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

26 When {he}[fn] 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 Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in [and out][fn] among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord [[Jesus]],[fn] 29 and he spoke and debated with the Hellenists; but they were trying to kill him.

30 When the brothers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

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

32 Now as 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, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus [[the]][fn] Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and {Sharon}[fn] saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid [her] in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent [two men][fn] to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room.

All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, rise [[in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ]].”[fn] 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 many believed in the Lord.

9:5, he replied: Some manuscripts read “the Lord said.”

9:12, in a vision: Absent from some manuscripts.

9:17, Jesus: Absent from some manuscripts.

9:19, He:Some manuscripts read “Saul.”

9:20, Jesus: Some manuscripts read “Christ.”

9:26, he: Some manuscripts read “Saul.”

9:28, and out: Absent from some manuscripts.

9:28, Jesus: Some manuscripts include.

9:34, the: Some manuscripts include.

9:35, Sharon: Some manuscripts read “Assaron.”

9:38, two men: Absent from some manuscripts.

9:40, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ: Some manuscripts include.

AICNT ACTs Chapter 9