The Road to Damascus
(Acts 22:1–21; Acts 26:1–23)

1Meanwhile, Saul (asked for) was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples (pupils) of the Lord {Kyriou}. He approached the high priest 2and requested letters {epistolas} to the synagogues in Damascus (well-watered land), so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem (city of peace).

3As Saul drew near to Damascus (well-watered land) on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul (asked for), Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

5“Who are You, Lord {Kyrie}?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus (YHWH saves), whom you are persecuting,” He replied [“It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”].a 6“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice but did not see anyone. 8Saul (asked for) got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could not see a thing \he could see nothing/.b So they led him by the hand into Damascus (well-watered land). 9For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything.

Ananias Baptizes Saul

10In Damascus (well-watered land) there was a disciple (pupil) named Ananias (YHWH is gracious). The Lord {Kyrios} spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Here I am, Lord {Kyrie},” he answered.

11“Get up!” the Lord {Kyrios} told him. “Go to the house of Judas (praise) on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul (asked for), for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias (YHWH is gracious) come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13But Ananias (YHWH is gracious) answered, “Lord {Kyrie}, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints (holy ones) in Jerusalem (city of peace). 14And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.”

15“Go!” said the Lord {Kyrios}. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles {ethnōn} and their kings, and before the people of Israel (He wrestles with God). 16I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”

17So Ananias (YHWH is gracious) went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul (asked for),” he said, “the Lord {Kyrios} Jesus (YHWH saves), who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit {Hagiou Pneumatos}.”

18At that instant, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and his sight was restored. He got up and was baptized (submerged), 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength. And he spent several days with the disciples (pupils) in Damascus (well-watered land).

Saul Preaches at Damascus

20Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus (YHWH saves) in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God {Theou}.”

21All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem (city of peace) on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”

22But Saul (asked for) was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews (people of praise) living in Damascus (well-watered land) by proving that Jesus is the Christ (the Anointed One).

The Escape from Damascus

23After many days had passed, the Jews (people of praise) conspired to kill him, 24but Saul (asked for) learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. 25One night, however, his disciples (pupils) took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall \through the wall/.c

Saul in Jerusalem

26When Saul arrived in Jerusalem (city of peace), he tried to join the disciples (pupils), but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple (pupil). 27Then Barnabas (son of encouragement) brought him to the apostles (sent ones) and described how Saul had seen the Lord {Kyrion}, who had spoken to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had spoken boldly in that city in the name of Jesus (YHWH saves).

28So Saul stayed with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem (city of peace) and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord {Kyriou}. 29He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews (Hellenists),d but they tried to kill him. 30When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

The Healing of Aeneas

31Then the church {ekklēsia} throughout Judea (land of praise), Galilee (circuit), and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord {Kyriou} and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit {Hagiou Pneumatos}.

32As Peter (rock) traveled throughout the area, he went to visit the saints (holy ones) in Lydda. 33There he found a man named Aeneas who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. 34“Aeneas,” Peter (rock) said to him, “Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One) heals you! Get up and put away your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up, 35and all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord {Kyrion}.

The Raising of Tabitha
(John 11:38–44)

36In Joppa (beautiful) there was a disciple (pupil) named Tabitha (gazelle) (which is translated as Dorcas),e who was always occupied with works (acts) of kindness and charity. 37At that time, however, she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upper room. 38Since Lydda was near Joppa (beautiful), the disciples (pupils), hearing that Peter (rock) was there, sent two men to urge him, “Come to us without delay.”

39So Peter (rock) got up and went with them. On his arrival, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood around him, weeping and showing him the tunics and other clothing that Dorcas (gazelle) had made while she was still with them.

40Then Peter (rock) sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha (gazelle), get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called the saints (holy ones) and widows and presented her to them alive.

42This became known all over Joppa (beautiful), and many people believed (had faith) in the Lord {Kyrion}. 43And Peter stayed for several days in Joppa (beautiful) with a tanner named Simon (hearing).