The Scriptures (ISR 1998) 1But Sha’ul, still breathing threats and murder against the taught ones of the Master, having come to the high priest, 2asked from him letters to the congregations of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, to bring them bound to Yerushalayim. 3And it came to be, that as he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light flashed around him from the heaven. 4And he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Sha’ul, Sha’ul, why do you persecute Me?” 5And he said, “Who are You, Master?” And the Master said, “I am יהושע, whom you persecute. It is hard for you to kick against the prods.” 6Both trembling, and being astonished, he said, “Master, what do You wish me to do?” And the Master said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you shall be told what you have to do.” 7And the men journeying with him stood speechless, hearing indeed the voice but seeing no one. 8And Sha’ul arose from the ground, but when his eyes were opened he saw no one. And leading him by the hand they brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, and did not eat nor drink. 10And there was at Damascus a certain taught one, by name Ḥananyah.a And the Master said unto him in a vision, “Ḥananyah!” And he said, “Here I am, Master.” 11And the Master said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and seek in the house of Yehuḏah for one called Sha’ul of Tarsos, for look, he is praying, 12and has seen in a vision a man named Ḥananyah coming in and laying his hand on him, so as to see again.” 13And Ḥananyah answered, “Master, I have heard from many about this man, how many evils he did to Your set-apart ones in Yerushalayim, 14and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all those calling on Your Name.” 15But the Master said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My Name before nations, sovereigns, and the children of Yisra’ĕl. 16“For I shall show him how much he has to suffer for My Name.” 17And Ḥananyah went away and went into the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Sha’ul, the Master יהושע, who appeared to you on the way as you came, has sent me, so that you might see again and be filled with the Set-apart Spirit.” 18And immediately there fell from his eyes, as it were scales, and he received his sight. And rising up, he was immersed. 19And having received food, he was strengthened. And Sha’ul was with the taught ones at Damascus some days. 20And immediately he proclaimed the Messiah in the congregations, that He is the Son of Elohim. 21And all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those calling on this Name in Yerushalayim, and has come here for this, to take them bound to the chief priests?” 22But Sha’ul kept increasing in strength, and was confounding the Yehuḏim who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this is the Messiah. 23And after many days had elapsed, the Yehuḏim plotted to kill him. 24But their plot became known to Sha’ul. And they were watching the gates day and night, to kill him. 25But taking him by night, the taught ones let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket. 26And having arrived at Yerushalayim, Sha’ul tried to join the taught ones, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a taught one. 27But Barnaḇah took him and brought him to the emissaries, and told them how he had seen the Master on the way, and that He had spoken to him, and how he was speaking boldly at Damascus in the Name of יהושע. 28And he was with them at Yerushalayim, coming in and going out, 29and speaking boldly in the Name of the Master יהושע and disputed with the Hellenists, but they undertook to kill him. 30And when the brothers learned of this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsos. 31Then indeed the assemblies throughout all Yehuḏah, and Galil, and Shomeron had peace and were built up, and walking in the fear of יהוה and in the encouragement of the Set-apart Spirit, they were being increased. 32And it came to be, as Kĕpha was passing through all places, that he also came down to the set-apart ones who were dwelling at Lod. 33And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, being paralytic. 34And Kĕpha said to him, “Aeneas, יהושע the Messiah heals you! Rise up and make your bed.” And immediately he rose up. 35And all those dwelling at Lod and Sharon saw him and did turn to the Master. 36And in Yapho there was a certain taught one named Taḇitha, which means Dorkas. This woman was filled with good works and kind deeds which she did. 37And it came to be in those days that she became sick and died. And having washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38And Lod being near to Yapho, and the taught ones having heard that Kĕpha was there, they sent two men to him, urging him not to delay in coming to them. 39And having risen up, Kĕpha went with them. And when he arrived, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood beside him weeping, showing the inner garments and outer garments which Dorkas had made while she was with them. 40But Kĕpha sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Taḇitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and seeing Kĕpha, she sat up. 41And giving her his hand, he lifted her up. And calling the set-apart ones and widows, he presented her alive. 42And it became known throughout all Yapho, and many believed on the Master. 43And it came to be that he stayed for many days in Yapho with Shim‛on, a leather-tanner. |