Acts 9:23–43

²³Later the Jews planned to murder Saul, ²⁴but Saul was told about their plot. They were watching the city gates day and night in order to murder him. ²⁵However, Saul’s disciples lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall one night. 

²⁶After Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples. But everyone was afraid of him. They wouldn’t believe that he was a disciple. 

²⁷Then Barnabas took an interest in Saul and brought him to the apostles. Barnabas told the apostles how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had spoken to him. Barnabas also told them how boldly Saul had spoken about the one named Jesus in the city of Damascus. ²⁸Then Saul went throughout Jerusalem with the disciples. He spoke boldly with the power and authority of the Lord. 

²⁹He talked and argued with Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him. ³⁰As soon as the disciples found out about this, they took Saul to Caesarea and sent him to Tarsus. 

³¹Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace. The number of people increased as people lived in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. 

Peter Heals Aeneas

³²When Peter was going around to all of God’s people, he came to those who lived in the city of Lydda. ³³In Lydda Peter found a man named Aeneas who was paralyzed and confined to a cot for eight years. 

³⁴Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you well. Get up, and pick up your cot.” Aeneas immediately got up. 

³⁵Everyone who lived in the city of Lydda and the coastal region of Sharon saw what had happened to Aeneas and turned to the Lord in faith. 

Peter Brings Tabitha Back to Life

³⁶A disciple named Tabitha lived in the city of Joppa. Her Greek name was Dorcas. She always helped people and gave things to the poor. ³⁷She became sick and died. Her body was prepared for burial and was laid in an upstairs room. 

³⁸Lydda is near the city of Joppa. When the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him. They begged Peter, “Hurry to Joppa! We need your help!” 

³⁹So Peter went with them. When he arrived, he was taken upstairs. All the widows stood around him. They were crying and showing Peter the articles of clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 

⁴⁰Peter made everyone leave the room. 

He knelt and prayed. Then he turned toward the body and said, “Tabitha, get up!” 

Tabitha opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. ⁴¹Peter took her hand and helped her stand up. After he called the believers, especially the widows, he presented Tabitha to them. She was alive. 

⁴²The news about this spread throughout the city of Joppa, and as a result, many people believed in the Lord. 

⁴³Peter stayed in Joppa for a number of days with Simon, a leatherworker.