Acts 9

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

Saul, still seething with rage and threats against the Lord's followers, approached the high priest.

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.

He asked him for letters to the synagogues of Damascus, so if he found any followers of the Way, men or women, he could capture them and bring them to Jerusalem.

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

As he traveled towards Damascus, he was suddenly enveloped by a divine, heavenly light.

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

He collapsed, overwhelmed, as a voice echoed, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"

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.

He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord replied, "I am Jesus, the one you're hurting. It's tough for you to fight against what's right."

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.

Shaking and overwhelmed, he asked, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" The Lord replied, "Get up, go to the city, and there you'll be guided on what to do."

And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

The companions traveling with him were struck dumb, they heard a voice but saw no one.

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.

Saul got up from the ground, his eyes wide open, yet he saw no one. Guided gently by hand, he was led into Damascus, lost and bewildered.

And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

For three long days, he was engulfed in darkness, unable to see. He didn't eat or drink, consumed by his despair.

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.

In Damascus, there lived a devoted follower named Ananias. One day, the Lord called out to him in a vision, "Ananias." With a heart full of awe and devotion, Ananias responded, "I am here, Lord."

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,

With a commanding yet gentle voice, the Lord instructed, "Get up and go to Straight Street. Ask at Judas's house for a man named Saul from Tarsus. He's there, praying fervently."

And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

In a dream, he saw a man named Ananias approaching him, gently placing his hand on him, so he could regain his vision.

Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

Ananias replied, "Lord, I've heard from many about this man's cruel actions against your followers in Jerusalem."

And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

He has been given power by the high priests to imprison all who invoke your name.

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:

But God reassured him, "Go, for he is my chosen instrument. He will carry my name to the Gentiles and their kings, and to the people of Israel."

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

I will reveal to him the immense hardships he must endure for the love of my name.

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.

Ananias, filled with purpose, went to the house. He gently placed his hands on Saul, saying, "Brother, Jesus, who you met on your journey, sent me. He wants you to see again and to be filled with the Holy Spirit."

And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Suddenly, as if scales fell from his eyes, he could see clearly. Overwhelmed with joy, he stood up and was immediately baptized.

And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

After being nourished, he regained his strength. Saul then spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Immediately, with a heart full of passion, he proclaimed in the places of worship that Christ is indeed the Divine Son of God.

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?

Everyone who heard him was astounded, asking, "Isn't this the man who persecuted those who invoked this name in Jerusalem, intending to imprison them and bring them to the high priests?"

But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Saul's strength grew immensely, leaving the Jews in Damascus bewildered as he passionately demonstrated that this was indeed the Messiah.

And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

After a long time had passed, the Jews plotted with cold hearts and malicious intent to end his life.

But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

Saul was aware of their deadly trap. They were constantly on guard, day and night at the gates, waiting to end his life.

Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

In the quiet cover of darkness, the disciples gently lowered him down the wall, cradled in a basket, their hearts pounding with fear and hope.

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.

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to connect with the disciples. However, they were all terrified of him, doubting his claim of being a disciple.

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.

Barnabas warmly embraced him, leading him to the apostles. He passionately shared his encounter with the Lord during his journey, his intimate conversation with Him, and his fearless proclamation of Jesus' name in Damascus.

And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

He was their constant companion, arriving and departing with them in Jerusalem.

And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

He courageously spoke for the Lord Jesus, arguing with the Greek-speaking Jews. Yet, they plotted to kill him.

Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

When the believers found out, they quickly took him to Caesarea, then sent him off to Tarsus, filled with worry and hope.

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.

The churches across Judaea, Galilee, and Samaria finally found peace. They grew stronger, walking in awe of the Lord and comforted by the Holy Spirit, their numbers increased.

And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

As Peter journeyed through every region, he also visited the faithful believers living in Lydda.

And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

There, he discovered a man named Aeneas, who had been confined to his bed for eight long years, suffering terribly from paralysis.

And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

Peter passionately told Aeneas, "Jesus Christ heals you. Stand up and tidy your bed." And without hesitation, Aeneas stood up.

And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

Everyone living in Lydda and Saron witnessed his presence, and they were deeply moved, turning their hearts towards the Lord.

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.

In the town of Joppa, there lived a devoted follower named Tabitha, also known as Dorcas. She was a woman of immense kindness, always busy with charitable acts and deeds.

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.

During that time, she fell ill and sadly passed away. After tenderly cleaning her, they placed her in a room upstairs.

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.

Since Lydda was close to Joppa, and the followers knew Peter was there, they quickly sent two men to him, eagerly asking him to come without delay.

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.

Peter got up and went with them. Upon arrival, they led him to the top room. Surrounded by grieving widows, they tearfully displayed the clothes Dorcas had made when she was alive.

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.

Peter gently asked everyone to leave. He then knelt down, his heart heavy with prayer. Turning to the lifeless body, he whispered, "Tabitha, awaken." As if responding to his call, she slowly opened her eyes. Seeing Peter, she sat up, her eyes filled with wonder.

And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

With a tender touch, he extended his hand to her, gently raising her up. Calling upon the faithful and the bereaved, he joyfully revealed her, alive and well.

And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

News of the Lord's work spread like wildfire across Joppa, touching many hearts and inspiring faith.

And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

He spent a long time in Joppa, staying with a man named Simon, who was a leather worker.