1Meanwhile, Saul, while uttering murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2And asked him for letters to the synagogues of Damascus, authorizing him, if he found any of this “Way” (disciples of Jesus Christ), to bring them, whether men or women, back to Jerusalem in chains. 3And as he travelled and neared Damascus, suddenly a brilliant light from heaven shined all around him; 4And he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting.” 6And he said, “Lord, what will You have me to do?” And the Lord said, “Arise, and go into the city, and then you shall be told what you must do.”

7The men travelling with Saul stood speechless, hearing a voice, but not seeing anyone. 8And then Saul stood up; but when he opened his eyes, he could see nothing; So they led him by the hand, and brought him to Damascus. 9And for three days he was without sight, and nor did he eat or drink. 10And in Damascus, there was a certain disciple (of Jesus) named Ananias; and Lord spoke to him in a vision: “Ananias.” And he replied, “Yes, Lord, I am here.” 11And the Lord told him, “Go into the house of Judas on Straight Street, and ask for someone called Saul of Tarsus; for he is praying there, 12And he has seen in a vision of a man named Ananias coming, and putting his hand on him, to restore his sight.” 13Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard many reports of this man, how much evil he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem; 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all that call on Your name.” 15But the Lord said to him, “Go! For he is My chosen instrument to proclaim My name before the Gentiles, their kings, and to the people of Israel; 16And I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake.” 17And then Ananias went to and entered that house; and put his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus, Who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me, that you might regain your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18And immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes; and he received sight, and he arose, and was baptized. 19And after he had taken some food, he regained his strength; and then Saul spent several days with the disciples (of Jesus) at Damascus. 20And he immediately began to preach Christ in the synagogues: that Jesus is the Son of God. 21And all that heard him were astonished, and said: “Is this not the man that brought devastation upon those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here with the same intent - to take them in chains to the chief priests?” 22Yet Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, confounding the Jews living at Damascus; and persuading people that Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Messiah. 23And after many days had passed, the Jews there conspired to kill him. 24But Saul learned of their plan, and that they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25And so the disciples took him by night, and lowered him down outside the city wall in a basket. 26And when Saul returned to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples there; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was truly a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and told them how he had seen the Lord on the road, that the Lord had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus at Damascus. 28And so Saul stayed with them and moved freely about Jerusalem. 29And he spoke boldly, and debated with the Grecians (Hellenistic Jews) regarding the Lord Jesus. But then they also sought to kill him. 30And when the believers learned this, they took him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus. 31Then the church throughout all Judaea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a period of peace, and was strengthened, being edified; and walking in reverence of the Lord, and encouraged by the Holy Spirit.

32And as Peter traveled about the region, he went to visit the saints (believers) who dwelt at Lydda. 33And there he found a certain man, named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bed-ridden for eight years. 34And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up; and fold your bed (roll up your mat).” And he was instantly healed and immediately arose. 35And those living at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and turned to the Lord.

36Now at Joppa, there was a certain disciple, named Tabitha, (in Greek, her name is Dorcas); a woman full of good works and deeds by which she helped the poor. 37And about that time, she got sick, and died; and her body was then washed, and laid out in an upstairs room. 38And since Lydda was near to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, asking him to come to them without delay. 39Then Peter went with them, and when he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room; where many widows stood by, weeping, and they showed Peter the coats and garments that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40But Peter sent them all out, and knelt and prayed; and then, turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41And he gave her his hand, and helped her to her feet, and then he called the saints and widows, and presented her to them alive. 42And this became known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 43And Peter stayed in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner, for many days.