Saul, on the road to Damascus, is struck blind by a light and hears Jesus ask why he is persecuting him. Ananias welcomes him, and Saul begins to preach. Peter heals Aeneas and raises Dorcas in Joppa.
1 And Saul , yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord , went unto the high priest ,
2 And 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 .
3 And as he journeyed , he came near Damascus : and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven :
4 And he fell to the earth , and heard a voice saying unto him , Saul , Saul , why persecutest thou me ?
5 And 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 .
6 And 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 .
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless , hearing a voice , but seeing no man .
8 And 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 .
9 And he was three days without sight , and neither did eat nor drink .
10 And 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 .
11 And 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 ,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in , and putting his hand on him , that he might receive his sight .
13 Then Ananias answered , Lord , I have heard by many of this man , how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem :
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name .
15 But 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 :
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake .
17 And 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 .
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales : and he received sight forthwith , and arose , and was baptized .
19 And when he had received meat , he was strengthened . Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus .
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues , that he is the Son of God .
21 But 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 ?
22 But Saul increased the more in strength , and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus , proving that this is very Christ .
23 And after that many days were fulfilled , the Jews took counsel to kill him :
24 But their laying await was known of Saul . And they watched the gates day and night to kill him .
25 Then the disciples took him by night , and let him down by the wall in a basket .
26 And 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 .
27 But 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 .
28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem .
29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus , and disputed against the Grecians : but they went about to slay him .
30 Which when the brethren knew , they brought him down to Caesarea , and sent him forth to Tarsus .
31 Then 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 .
32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda .
33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas , which had kept his bed eight years , and was sick of the palsy .
34 And Peter said unto him , Aeneas , Jesus Christ maketh thee whole : arise , and make thy bed . And he arose immediately .
35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him , and turned to the Lord .
36 Now 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 .
37 And 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 .
38 And 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 .
39 Then 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 .
40 But 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 .
41 And he gave her his hand , and lifted her up , and when he had called the saints and widows , presented her alive .
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa ; and many believed in the Lord .
43 And it came to pass , that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner .