Acts 9:1-43 AMP

[1] Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord [and relentless in his search for believers], went to the high priest, [2] and he asked for letters [of authority] from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any men or women there belonging to the Way [believers, followers of Jesus the Messiah], men and women alike, he could arrest them and bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem. [3] As he traveled he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ]; [4] and he fell to the ground and heard a voice [from heaven] saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting and oppressing Me?” [5] And Saul said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, [6] now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” [7] The men who were traveling with him [were terrified and] stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. [8] Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. [9] And he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank. [10] Now in Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he answered, “Here I am, Lord.” [11] And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul; for he is praying [there], [12] and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him, so that he may regain his sight.” [13] But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, especially how much suffering and evil he has brought on Your saints (God’s people) at Jerusalem; [14] and here [in Damascus] he has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call on Your name [confessing You as Savior].” [15] But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a [deliberately] chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; [16] for I will make clear to him how much he must suffer and endure for My name’s sake.” [17] So Ananias left and entered the house, and he laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came [to Damascus], has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit [in order to proclaim Christ to both Jews and Gentiles].” [18] Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized; [19] and he took some food and was strengthened. For several days [afterward] Saul remained with the disciples who were at Damascus. [20] And immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This Man is the Son of God [the promised Messiah]!” [21] All those who heard him continued to be amazed and said, “Is this not the man who in Jerusalem attacked those who called on this name [of Jesus], and had come here [to Damascus] for the express purpose of bringing them bound [with chains] before the chief priests?” [22] But Saul increased in strength more and more, and continued to perplex the Jews who lived in Damascus by examining [theological evidence] and proving [with Scripture] that this Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). [23] After considerable time had passed [about three years or so], the Jews plotted together to kill him, [24] but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the city’s gates day and night so they could kill him; [25] but his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket. [26] When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. [27] However, Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and described to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road [to Damascus], and how He had spoken to him, and how at Damascus Saul had preached openly and spoken confidently in the name of Jesus. [28] So he was with them, moving around freely [as one among them] in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. [29] He was talking and arguing with the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews); but they were attempting to kill him. [30] When the brothers found out [about the plot], they brought him down to Caesarea [Maritima] and sent him off to Tarsus [his home town]. [31] So the church throughout Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace [without persecution], being built up [in wisdom, virtue, and faith]; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort and encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it continued to grow [in numbers]. [32] Now as Peter was traveling throughout the land, he went down to [visit] the saints (God’s people) who lived at Lydda. [33] There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. [34] Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed.” Immediately Aeneas got up. [35] Then all who lived at Lydda and the plain of Sharon saw [what had happened to] him, and they turned to the Lord. [36] Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, (which translated into Greek means Dorcas). She was rich in acts of kindness and charity which she continually did. [37] During that time it happened that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upstairs room. [38] Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Come to us without delay.” [39] So Peter got up [at once] and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upstairs room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing [him] all the tunics and robes that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. [40] But Peter sent them all out [of the room] and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise!” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. [41] And he gave her his hand and helped her up; and then he called in the saints (God’s people) and the widows, and he presented her [to them] alive. [42] This became known all over Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord [that is, to adhere to and trust in and rely on Jesus as Christ and Savior]. [43] And so it was that Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with Simon, a tanner.