The Conversion of Saul

9:1 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing out threats1 to murder2 the Lord’s disciples, went to the high priest 9:2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues3 in Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way,4 either men or women, he could bring them as prisoners5 to Jerusalem.6 9:3 As he was going along, approaching7 Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed8 around him. 9:4 He9 fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul,10 why are you persecuting me?”11 9:5 So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” He replied, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting! 9:6 But stand up12 and enter the city and you will be told13 what you must do.” 9:7 (Now the men14 who were traveling with him stood there speechless,15 because they heard the voice but saw no one.)16 9:8 So Saul got up from the ground, but although his eyes were open,17 he could see nothing.18 Leading him by the hand, his companions19 brought him into Damascus. 9:9 For20 three days he could not see, and he neither ate nor drank anything.21

9:10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The22 Lord23 said to him in a vision, “Ananias,” and he replied, “Here I am,24 Lord.” 9:11 Then the Lord told him, “Get up and go to the street called ‘Straight,’25 and at Judas’ house look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. For he is praying, 9:12 and he has seen in a vision26 a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him so that he may see again.” 9:13 But Ananias replied,27 “Lord, I have heard from many people28 about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, 9:14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison29 all who call on your name!”30 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument31 to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel.32 9:16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”33 9:17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, placed34 his hands on Saul35 and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came here,36 has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”37 9:18 Immediately38 something like scales39 fell from his eyes, and he could see again. He40 got up and was baptized, 9:19 and after taking some food, his strength returned.

For several days41 he was with the disciples in Damascus, 9:20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues,42 saying, “This man is the Son of God.”43 9:21 All44 who heard him were amazed and were saying, “Is this not45 the man who in Jerusalem was ravaging46 those who call on this name, and who had come here to bring them as prisoners47 to the chief priests?” 9:22 But Saul became more and more capable,48 and was causing consternation49 among the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving50 that Jesus51 is the Christ.52