1 Yet Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord {Kyrios, Exalted Messiah}, came before the high priest {archiereus: chief religious official}.
2 He asked him for letters {epistolai: official authorization orders} to the synagogues in Damascus, so that should he find anyone belonging to the Way—men or women—he could bring them bound to Jerusalem {Ierousalem: central Jewish authority}.
3 As he was traveling {poreuesthai: ongoing journey} and was drawing near to Damascus, a light {phos: overwhelming brightness} from heaven suddenly shone around him.
4 And he fell to the ground and heard a voice {phone: disembodied call} saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me {Iesous, Risen Lord confronting Saul}?”
5 Then he said, “Who are You, Lord {Kyrios, Heavenly Authority}?” And He answered, “I am Jesus {Iesous, Risen Lord}, whom you are persecuting.”
6 But rise {anastethi: decisive response} and go into the city, and you will be told what you must {dei: binding necessity} do.
7 Now the men accompanying him stood speechless {eneoi: struck dumb}, hearing the voice {phōnē: uncanny sound} but seeing no one.
8 Saul rose from the ground {ges: earth beneath him}, and although his eyes had been opened, he saw nothing. Then they guided him by the hand into Damascus {Damaskos: prominent Syrian city}.
9 And he remained for three days unable to see {blepon: perceiving visually}, and he did not eat {ephagen: consuming food} nor did he drink.
10 Now in Damascus there was a certain disciple {mathetes: devoted learner} named Ananias; and in a vision the Lord {Kyrios, Calling Master} said to him, “Ananias.” And he replied, “Behold, here I am, Lord.”
11 And the Lord {Kyrios, Divine Speaker} said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and in the house of Judas look for Saul, a Tarsian {Tarsea: from Tarsus}; for he is praying.”
12 And Saul has seen in a vision {horama: supernatural sight} a man named Ananias who entered and laid his hands on him so that he might see again {anablepse: restored sight}.
13 But Ananias answered, “Lord {Kyrios, Sending Lord}, I have heard from many about this man—how many evil things he has done to Your saints {hagiois: consecrated ones} in Jerusalem.”
14 And here he has authority {exousia: official power} from the chief priests to bind all who call upon Your {Iesous, Name Believers Invoke} name.
15 But the Lord {Kyrios, Sovereign Sender} said to him, “Go, for this man is a chosen vessel {skeuos: person specially set apart} to Me to carry My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel.”
16 For I {Iesous, Mission-Giving Lord} will show him how many things he must suffer for the sake of My name {onoma: character and authority}.
17 Ananias went to the house and entered; laying his hands on Saul, he said, “Saul, brother, the Lord Jesus {Kyrios Iesous, Appearing Lord}, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit {pneuma hagion, Empowering Presence}.”
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales {lepides: flake-like coverings}, and he regained his sight; and he arose and was baptized {ebaptisthe: immersed in water}.
19 And after taking food {trophen: nourishing meal}, he was strengthened. And he was with the disciples {matheton: devoted students} in Damascus for some days.
20 And immediately in the synagogues {synagogais: Jewish worship gatherings} he began proclaiming Jesus, saying that this One is the Son of God {huios tou Theou: Declared Divine Son}.
21 But all who heard were amazed and were saying, “Is this not the one who laid waste {porthesas: violently persecuted} to those who called upon this name in Jerusalem, and who came here for this purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests {archiereis: high-ranking temple leaders}?”
22 But Saul grew even stronger, and he confounded {synechynnen: deeply bewildered} the Jews living in Damascus by proving that this one is the Christ {Christos, Proclaimed Messiah}.
23 And when many days had been fulfilled, the Jews {Ioudaioi: hostile opponents} plotted together {synebouleusanto: jointly resolved} to kill him.
24 But their plot {epiboule: murderous plan} became known to Saul, and they watched {pareterounto: careful surveillance} the gates day and night so that they might kill him.
25 But his disciples {mathetai: committed followers} took him away at night and lowered him down through an opening in the wall in a basket {spyridi: large woven container}.
26 And upon arriving in Jerusalem {Ierousalem: early church center}, he attempted to join the disciples; yet all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple {mathetes: devoted learner}.
27 Yet Barnabas took hold of him, led him to the apostles, and detailed how on the journey he had encountered the Lord {Kyrios, Risen Manifestation}, that He had addressed him, and how in Damascus he had boldly declared in the name of Jesus {Iesous, Empowering Savior}.
28 And he was with them in Jerusalem, going in {eisporeuomenos: continual public activity} and going out, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord {Kyrios, Proclaimed Master}.
29 He continued speaking and disputing with the Hellenists {Hellēnistas: Greek-speaking Jews}, yet they strove to kill {anelein: remove by killing} him.
30 But when the brothers {adelphoi: faith-community members} learned it, they brought him down to Caesarea {Kaisareia: coastal port} and sent him away to Tarsus.
31 So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was being built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord {Kyrios, Reigning Master} and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit {Pneuma Hagion, Strengthening Comforter}, it was multiplied.
32 Now it happened that, as Peter {Petros: the rock} was passing through all, he also went down to the saints {hagious: consecrated believers} who were living in Lydda.
33 And there he found a man named Aeneas {Ainean: disabled man}, who for eight years had been lying in bed and was paralyzed {paraleleumenos: suffering physical paralysis}.
34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Healing Messiah} heals you; arise and make your bed {stroson: arrange your mat for use}.” And immediately he arose.
35 And all those who lived {katoikountes: settled residents} in Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord {Kyrios, Worshiped Ruler}.
36 Now in Joppa there was a certain female disciple named Tabitha, who is known in translation as Dorcas. This woman was full of good works {ergon: God-focused deeds} and almsgivings {eleemosyne: practical mercy}, which she continually performed.
37 And it happened in those days {hemerais: particular time} that she became ill and died; and after they had washed her, they placed her in an upper room {hyperoio: upstairs chamber}.
38 Now since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples {mathetai: devoted followers}, hearing that Peter {Petros: prominent apostolic leader} was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Do not delay to come to us.”
39 Then Peter rose and accompanied them. Upon his arrival, they led him into the upper room, where all the widows stood by him weeping and showing the tunics and garments that Dorcas {Dorkas: charitable disciple} had been making {epoiei: ongoing work} while she was with them.
40 But Peter {Petros: leading apostle} sent them all outside; and after kneeling down, he prayed {proseuxato: earnest petition}. Then he turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And, giving her his hand, he raised her up; and after calling the saints {hagious: devoted believers} and the widows, he presented her alive {zosan: restored to life}.
42 And this became known throughout all Joppa {Ioppes: coastal city}, and many believed in the Lord {Kyrios, Trusted Lord}.
43 And it happened that he stayed many days in Joppa {ioppe: coastal town} with a certain Simon, a tanner {burseus: leather worker}.