The Damascus Road: Saul Converted

9 Then aSaul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked bletters 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.

3 cAs he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, dwhy are you persecuting Me?”

5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 1It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

6 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.”

7 And ethe men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 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. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Ananias Baptizes Saul

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus fnamed Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

11 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 gof Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 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.”

13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, hhow much 2harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all iwho call on Your name.”

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for jhe is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before kGentiles, lkings, and the mchildren 3of Israel. 16 For nI will show him how many things he must suffer for My oname’s sake.”

17 pAnd Ananias went his way and entered the house; and qlaying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord 4Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and rbe filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. sThen Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

Saul Preaches Christ

20 Immediately he preached 5the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, t“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?”

22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, uand confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Saul Escapes Death

23 Now after many days were past, vthe Jews plotted to kill him. 24 wBut their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night and xlet him down through the wall in a large basket.

Saul at Jerusalem

26 And ywhen 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. 27 zBut 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, aand how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So bhe was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the cHellenists, 6 dbut they attempted to kill him. 30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

The Church Prospers

31 eThen the 7churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were fedified. 8And walking in the gfear of the Lord and in the hcomfort of the Holy Spirit, they were imultiplied.