Acts:9

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* Then Saul , still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord , went to the high priest * and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus , so that if he found any who were of the Way , whether men or women , he might bring them bound to Jerusalem . * As he journeyed he came near Damascus , and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven . * Then he fell to the ground , and heard a voice saying to him , "Saul , Saul , why are you persecuting Me ?" * And he said , "Who are You , Lord ?" Then the Lord said , "I am Jesus , whom you are persecuting . It is hard for you to kick against the goads ." * So he , trembling and astonished , said , "Lord , what do You want me to do ?" Then the Lord said to him , "Arise and go into the city , and you will be told what you must do ." * And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless , hearing a voice but seeing no one . * Then Saul arose from the ground , and when his eyes were opened he saw no one . But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus . * And he was three days without sight , and neither ate nor drank . * Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias ; and to him the Lord said in a vision , "Ananias ." And he said , "Here I am , Lord ." * So the Lord said to him , "Arise and go to the street called Straight , and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus , for behold , he is praying . * And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him , so that he might receive his sight ." * Then Ananias answered , "Lord , I have heard from many about this man , how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem . * And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name ." * But the Lord said to him , "Go , for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles , kings , and the children of Israel . * For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name 's sake ." * And Ananias went his way and entered the house ; and laying his hands on him he said , "Brother Saul , the Lord Jesus , who appeared to you on the road as you came , has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit ." * Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales , and he received his sight at once ; and he arose and was baptized . * So when he had received food , he was strengthened . Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus . * Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues , that He is the Son of God . * Then all who heard were amazed , and said , "Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem , and has come here for that purpose , so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests ?" * But Saul increased all the more in strength , and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus , proving that this Jesus is the Christ . * Now after many days were past , the Jews plotted to kill him . * But their plot became known to Saul . And they watched the gates day and night , to kill him . * Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket . * And when Saul had come to Jerusalem , he tried to join the disciples ; but they were all afraid of him , and did not believe that he was a disciple . * But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles . And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road , and that He had spoken to him , and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus . * So he was with them at Jerusalem , coming in and going out . * And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists , but they attempted to kill him . * When the brethren found out , they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus . * Then the churches throughout all Judea , Galilee , and Samaria had peace and were edified . And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit , they were multiplied . * Now it came to pass , as Peter went through all parts of the country , that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda . * There he found a certain man named Aeneas , who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed . * And Peter said to him , "Aeneas , Jesus the Christ heals you . Arise and make your bed ." Then he arose immediately . * So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord . * At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha , which is translated Dorcas . This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did . * But it happened in those days that she became sick and died . When they had washed her , they laid her in an upper room . * And since Lydda was near Joppa , and the disciples had heard that Peter was there , they sent two men to him , imploring him not to delay in coming to them . * Then Peter arose and went with them . When he had come , they brought him to the upper room . And all the widows stood by him weeping , showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them . * But Peter put them all out , and knelt down and prayed . And turning to the body he said , "Tabitha , arise ." And she opened her eyes , and when she saw Peter she sat up . * Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up ; and when he had called the saints and widows , he presented her alive . * And it became known throughout all Joppa , and many believed on the Lord . * So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon , a tanner .

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