Acts
9:1-20
NIV
Translation
Acts
9
1
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the
Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest
2
and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if
he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might
take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
3
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed
around him.
4
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul,
Saul, why do you persecute me?"
5
"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked."I am Jesus,
whom you are persecuting," he replied.
6
"Now get up and go into the city, and you
will be told what you must do."
7
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound
but did not see anyone.
8
Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.
So they led him by the hand into Damascus.
9
For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him
in a vision, "Ananias!"
"Yes,
Lord," he answered.
11
The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas
on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is
praying.
12
In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias
come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
13
"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and
all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
14
And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all
who call on your name."
15
But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man
is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their
kings and before the people of Israel.
16
I will show him how much he must suffer for
my name."
17
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul,
he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, 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."
18
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could
see again. He got up and was baptized,
19
and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several
days with the disciples in Damascus.
20
At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. |
Acts
9:1-20
The
New Living Bible Translation
Acts
9
1
Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath. He was eager to
destroy the Lord's followers, so he went to the high priest.
2
He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking their
cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He
wanted to bring them--both men and women--back to Jerusalem in chains.
3
As he was nearing Damascus on this mission, a brilliant light from heaven
suddenly beamed down upon him!
4
He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul!
Saul! Why are you persecuting me?"
5
"Who are you, sir?" Saul asked. And the voice replied, "I
am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!
6
Now get up and go into the city, and you will
be told what you are to do."
7
The men with Saul stood speechless with surprise, for they heard the sound
of someone's voice, but they saw no one!
8
As Saul picked himself up off the ground, he found that he was blind.
9
So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind
for three days. And all that time he went without food and water.
10
Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him
in a vision, calling, "Ananias!"
"Yes,
Lord!" he replied.
11
The Lord said, "Go over to Straight Street,
to the house of Judas. When you arrive, ask for Saul of Tarsus. He is praying
to me right now.
12
I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias
coming in and laying his hands on him so that he can see again."
13
"But Lord," exclaimed Ananias, "I've heard about the terrible things this
man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!
14
And we hear that he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest every
believer in Damascus."
15
But the Lord said, "Go and do what I say.
For Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and
to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.
16
And I will show him how much he must suffer
for me."
17
So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, "Brother
Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that
you may get your sight back and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
18
Instantly something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he regained
his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.
19
Afterward he ate some food and was strengthened. Saul stayed with the believers
in Damascus for a few days.
20
And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying,
"He is indeed the Son of God!" |
