the Fourth Week of Advent
Click here to learn more!
Read the Bible
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Acts 9
The Conversion of Saul
1 (C1)Now (F1)Saul, still (C2)breathing (F2)threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,2 and asked for (C1)letters from him to (C2)the synagogues at (C3)Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to (C4)the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and (C1)suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;4 and (C1)he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,
10 Now there was a disciple at (C1)Damascus named (C2)Ananias; and the Lord said to him in (C3)a vision,
19 and he took food and was strengthened.
Saul Begins to Preach Christ
23 When (C1)many days had elapsed, (C2)the Jews plotted together to do away with him,24 but (C1)their plot became known to Saul. (C2)They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death;25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.
26 (C1)When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; (F1)but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.27 But (C1)Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had (C2)seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how (C3)at Damascus he had (C4)spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.28 And he was with them, (F1)moving about freely in Jerusalem, (C1)speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.29 And he was talking and arguing with the (F1)(C1)Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death.30 But when (C1)the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to (C2)Caesarea and (C3)sent him away to (C4)Tarsus.
31 So (C1)the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria (F1)enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
Peter's Ministry
32 Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to (C1)the (F1)saints who lived at (F2)(C2)Lydda.33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed.34 Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed." Immediately he got up.35 And all who lived at (F1)(C1)Lydda and (C2)Sharon saw him, and they (C3)turned to the Lord.
36 Now in (C1)Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called (F1)Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.37 And it happened (F1)at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an (C1)upper room.38 Since Lydda was near (C1)Joppa, (C2)the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, "Do not delay in coming to us."39 So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the (C1)upper room; and all the (C2)widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the (F1)tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.40 But Peter (C1)sent them all out and (C2)knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, "(C3)Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling (C1)the (F1)saints and (C2)widows, he presented her alive.42 It became known all over (C1)Joppa, and (C2)many believed in the Lord.43 And Peter stayed many days in (C1)Joppa with (C2)a tanner named Simon.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation