Acts 9:19–43

¹⁹And after taking some food, he regained his strength. ^q

Saul Proclaiming the Messiah

Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some days. ²⁰Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.” ^r

²¹But all who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man who, in Jerusalem, was destroying those who called on this name and then came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?” ^s

²²But Saul grew more capable and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this One is the Messiah.

²³After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, ²⁴but their plot became known to Saul. So they were watching the gates day and night intending to kill him, ^t25but his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall. ^u

Saul in Jerusalem

²⁶When he arrived in Jerusalem, ^vhe tried to associate with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. ²⁷Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that He had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly ^win the name of Jesus. ^x28Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. ²⁹He conversed and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, ^ybut they attempted to kill him. ^z30When the brothers found out, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. ^a

³¹So the church ^bthroughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers.

The Healing of Aeneas

³²As Peter was traveling from place to place, ^che also came down to the saints ^dwho lived in Lydda. ^e33There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. ³⁴Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed,” ^fand immediately he got up. ^g35So all who lived in Lydda and Sharon ^hsaw him and turned to the Lord.

Dorcas Restored to Life

³⁶In Joppa ⁱthere was a disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. ^jShe was always doing good works ^kand acts of charity. ³⁷In those days she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs. ³⁸Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who begged him, “Don’t delay in coming with us.” ³⁹So Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them. ⁴⁰Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. ^l41He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive. ⁴²This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. ⁴³And Peter stayed on many days in Joppa with Simon, ^ma leather tanner. ⁿ