Acts 9
9
Saul’s Conversion on the Damascus Road
1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2and#*Here “and” is supplied because the participle in the previous verse (“went to”) has been translated as a finite verb asked for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, both men and women, he could bring them#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation tied up#Or figuratively “bring them under arrest” to Jerusalem. 3Now as he proceeded, it happened that when he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting! 6But get up and enter into the city, and it will be told to you what you must do.”#Literally “what thing it is necessary that you do” 7(Now the men who were traveling together with him stood speechless, because they#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as causal heard the voice but saw no one.) 8So Saul got up from the ground, but although#*Here “although” is supplied as a component of the genitive absolute participle (“were open”) which is understood as concessive his eyes were open he could see nothing. And leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9And he was unable to see#Literally “not seeing” for three days, and he did not eat or drink.
Ananias Sent to Saul
10Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus named#Literally “by name” Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Behold, here I am, Lord!” 11And the Lord said to him, “Get up, go to the street called ‘Straight’ and in the house of Judas look for a man named Saul from Tarsus.#Literally “Saul by name of Tarsus” For behold, he is praying, 12and he has seen in a vision a man named#Literally “by name” Ananias coming in and placing hands#Some manuscripts have “placing his hands” on him so that he may regain his sight.” 13But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, 14and here he has authority from the chief priests to tie up#Or figuratively “to arrest” or “to imprison” all who call upon your name!” 15But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles#The same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context and kings and the sons of Israel. 16For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17So Ananias departed and entered into the house, and placing his#*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight and got up and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb was baptized, 19and after#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“taking”) which is understood as temporal taking food, he regained his strength. And he was with the disciples in Damascus several days.
Saul Proclaims Christ in Damascus
20And immediately he began proclaiming#*The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began proclaiming”) Jesus in the synagogues: “This one is the Son of God!” 21And all who heard him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation were amazed, and were saying, “Is this not the one who was wreaking havoc in Jerusalem on those who call upon this name, and had come here for this reason, that he could bring them tied up#Or figuratively “bring them under arrest” to the chief priests?” 22But Saul was increasing in strength even more, and was confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by#*Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“proving”) which is understood as means proving that this one is the Christ.#Or “Messiah”
23And when many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted to do away with him. 24But their plot became known to Saul, and they were also watching the gates both day and night so that they could do away with him. 25But his disciples took him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation at night and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb let him down through the wall by#*Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“lowering”) which is understood as means lowering him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation in a basket.
Saul in Jerusalem
26And when he#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal arrived in Jerusalem, he was attempting to associate with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“believe”) which is understood as causal did not believe that he was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb brought him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation to the apostles and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28And he was going in and going out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29And he was speaking and debating with the Greek-speaking Jews,#Literally “Hellenists” but they were trying to do away with him. 30And when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“found out”) which is understood as temporal the brothers found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
31Then the church throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being strengthened. And living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it was increasing in numbers.#*The words “in numbers” are not in the Greek text but are implied
Aeneas Healed
32Now it happened that as#*Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was traveling”) which is understood as temporal Peter was traveling through all the places,#*The words “the places” are not in the Greek text but are implied he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda. 33And he found there a certain man named#Literally “by name” Aeneas who was paralyzed, who had been lying on a mat#Or “mattress” for eight years. 34And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and make your bed yourself!” And immediately he got up. 35And all those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, who all#*Here “all” is supplied to indicate the relative pronoun is plural indeed turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Raised
36Now in Joppa there was a certain female disciple named#Literally “by name” Tabitha (which translated means “Dorcas”).#“Dorcas” is the Greek translation of the Aramaic name “Tabitha” which means “deer” or “gazelle” She was full of good deeds and charitable giving which she was constantly doing.#*Here the imperfect verb is translated as a customary imperfect (“was constantly doing”) 37Now it happened that in those days after#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“becoming sick”) which is understood as temporal becoming sick, she died. And after#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“washing”) which is understood as temporal washing her,#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation they placed her in an upstairs room. 38And because#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as causal Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, when they#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal heard that Peter was in Lydda,#Literally “in it” sent two men to him, urging, “Do not delay to come to us!” 39So Peter got up and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb accompanied them. When he#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal arrived, they brought him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation up to the upstairs room, and all the widows came to him, weeping and showing him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation tunics and other clothing that Dorcas used to make while she#*Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as temporal was with them. 40But Peter sent them all outside, and, falling to his#*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun knees, he prayed. And turning toward the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” And she opened her eyes, and when she#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal saw Peter, she sat up. 41And he gave her his hand and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“gave”) has been translated as a finite verb raised her up. And he called the saints and the widows and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“called”) has been translated as a finite verb presented her alive. 42And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43And it happened that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.#Or “with a certain Simon Berseus”; most modern English versions treat the word as Simon’s profession (“Simon the tanner”), but the word may actually be a surname (“Simon Berseus” or “Simon Tanner”)
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Acts 9: LEB
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Acts 9
9
Saul Becomes a Believer
1Meanwhile, Saul continued to oppose the Lord’s followers. He said they would be put to death. He went to the high priest. 2He asked the priest for letters to the synagogues in Damascus. He wanted to find men and women who belonged to the Way of Jesus. The letters would allow him to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3On his journey, Saul approached Damascus. Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground. He heard a voice speak to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you opposing me?”
5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus,” he replied. “I am the one you are opposing. 6Now get up and go into the city. There you will be told what you must do.”
7The men traveling with Saul stood there. They weren’t able to speak. They had heard the sound. But they didn’t see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground. He opened his eyes, but he couldn’t see. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind. He didn’t eat or drink anything.
10In Damascus there was a believer named Ananias. The Lord called out to him in a vision. “Ananias!” he said.
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street. Ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying. 12In a vision Saul has seen a man come and place his hands on him. That man’s name is Ananias. In the vision, Ananias placed his hands on Saul so he could see again.”
13“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I’ve heard many reports about this man. They say he has done great harm to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14Now he has come here to arrest all those who worship you. The chief priests have given him authority to do this.”
15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen this man to work for me. He will announce my name to the Gentiles and to their kings. He will also announce my name to the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for me.”
17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. He placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “you saw the Lord Jesus. He appeared to you on the road as you were coming here. He has sent me so that you will be able to see again. You will be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Right away something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes. And he could see again. He got up and was baptized. 19After eating some food, he got his strength back.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
Saul spent several days with the believers in Damascus. 20Right away he began to preach in the synagogues. He taught that Jesus is the Son of God. 21All who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Isn’t he the man who caused great trouble in Jerusalem? Didn’t he make trouble for those who worship Jesus? Hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22But Saul grew more and more powerful. The Jews living in Damascus couldn’t believe what was happening. Saul proved to them that Jesus is the Messiah.
23After many days, the Jews had a meeting. They planned to kill Saul. 24But he learned about their plan. Day and night they watched the city gates closely in order to kill him. 25But his followers helped him escape by night. They lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26When Saul came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the believers. But they were all afraid of him. They didn’t believe he was really one of Jesus’ followers. 27But Barnabas took him to the apostles. He told them about Saul’s journey. He said that Saul had seen the Lord. He told how the Lord had spoken to Saul. Barnabas also said that Saul had preached without fear in Jesus’ name in Damascus. 28So Saul stayed with the believers. He moved about freely in Jerusalem. He spoke boldly in the Lord’s name. 29He talked and argued with the Greek Jews. But they tried to kill him. 30The other believers heard about this. They took Saul down to Caesarea. From there they sent him off to Tarsus.
31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. The church was strengthened and grew larger. That’s because they worshiped the Lord and the Holy Spirit helped them.
Peter Heals Aeneas and Dorcas
32Peter traveled around the country. He went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33There he found a disabled man named Aeneas. For eight years the man had spent most of his time in bed. 34“Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up! Roll up your mat!” So Aeneas got up right away. 35Everyone who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him. They turned to the Lord.
36In Joppa there was a believer named Tabitha. Her name in the Greek language is Dorcas. She was always doing good and helping poor people. 37About that time she became sick and died. Her body was washed and placed in a room upstairs. 38Lydda was near Joppa. The believers heard that Peter was in Lydda. So they sent two men to him. They begged him, “Please come at once!”
39Peter went with them. When he arrived, he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him crying. They showed him the robes and other clothes Dorcas had made before she died.
40Peter sent them all out of the room. Then he got down on his knees and prayed. He turned toward the dead woman. He said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. 41He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and especially the widows. He brought her to them. They saw that she was alive. 42This became known all over Joppa. Many people believed in the Lord. 43Peter stayed in Joppa for some time. He stayed with Simon, a man who worked with leather.
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