CHAPTER VII.
THE CONVERSION OF SAUL, PETER CURING ÆNEAS, AND RAISING DORCAS FROM THE DEAD.
1 9:1BUT Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the chief priest 9:2and asked of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of that way, he might bring them bound, men and women, to Jerusalem. 9:3And he was going and had come nigh to Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven, 9:4and falling on the earth he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, Why do you persecute me? 9:5And he said, Who are you, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. 9:6But arise and enter into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do. 9:7And the men travelling with him stood amazed, hearing indeed the voice, but beholding no one. 9:8And Saul arose from the earth, and his eyes being opened he saw nothing; and leading him by the hand they conducted him to Damascus. 9:9And he was three days without sight, and neither eat nor drank.
2 9:10And there was a certain disciple at Damascus by the name of Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 9:11And the Lord said to him, Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for 9:12and has seen a man by the name of Ananias coming and putting a hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 9:13And Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem; 9:14and here he has power from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name. 9:15But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name both before nations and kings, and the children of Israel; 9:16for I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name.
3 9:17And Ananias went and entered into the house, and laying hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way which you came, that you may receive sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 9:18And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight, and rising up was baptized, 9:19and having received food was strengthened.
4 And he was with the disciples at Damascus some days; 9:20and immediately in the synagogues he preached Jesus, that this is the Son of God. 9:21And all that heard him were astonished and said, Is not this he that destroyed those who called on this name at Jerusalem, and has come here for this purpose, that he might lead them bound to the chief priests? 9:22But Saul increased in power and confounded the Jews living at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
5 9:23And when some days had passed, the Jews took counsel to kill him; 9:24and their design was made known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him; 9:25but the disciples took him by night and sent him away by the wall, letting him down in a store-basket.
6 9:26And going to Jerusalem he endeavored to join the disciples; and they all feared him, not believing that he was a disciple. 9:27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had spoken boldly in Damascus in the name of Jesus. 9:28And he was with them, entering in and going out at Jerusalem, 9:29and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord; and he spoke and disputed with the Hellenists; and they undertook to kill him; 9:30but the brothers knowing it led him away to Cæsarea and sent him to Tarsus.
7 9:31Then had the church peace in all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and being built up, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. 9:32And Peter passing through all places, went down also to the saints living at Lydda. 9:33And he found there a certain man by the name of Æneas, who had lain on a bed for eight years, and was a paralytic. 9:34And Peter said to him, Æneas, Jesus Christ cures you; arise and make your bed for yourself. And he immediately arose; 9:35and all those who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and turned to the Lord.
8 9:36And there was at Joppa a certain female disciple called Tabitha, which being interpreted is called, Dorcas; she was full of good works and charities which she bestowed. 9:37And in those days she was sick and died; and having washed they put her in an upper room. 9:38But Lydda being nigh to Joppa, the disciples hearing that Peter was there sent two men to him requesting, Do not delay to come to us. 9:39And Peter arose and came with them; and when he had come they led him into the upper room, and all the widows stood by weeping and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. 9:40And Peter putting them all out knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body he said, Tabitha, arise! And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter sat up. 9:41And giving her his hand he raised her up, and calling the saints and widows presented her living. 9:42And this was known in all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. 9:43And Peter continued many days at Joppa with one Simon a tanner.