Acts 9 (NMV)
1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest
2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
3 As he traveled and came near Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around 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, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting," He replied.
6 "But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one.
8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.
9 He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.
10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." "Here I am, Lord," he replied.
11 "Get up and go to the street called Straight," the Lord said to him, "and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying there,
12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so that he may see again."
13 Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
14 And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest everyone who calls on Your name."
15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for My name."
17 So Ananias went and entered the house. He placed 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 so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,
19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for several days.
20 Right away he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: "He is the Son of God."
21 All who heard him were astonished and said, "Isn't this the man who in Jerusalem was causing destruction among those who call on this name, and who came here for the purpose of arresting them and bringing them before the chief priests?"
22 But Saul grew stronger and left the Jews who lived in Damascus confused and unable to refute him, proving that Jesus is the Christ.
23 After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him,
24 but Saul learned of their plan. They were watching the gates day and night to kill him,
25 but his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26 When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was truly a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.
28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him.
30 When the brothers found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Then the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in reverence for the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it continued to grow.
32 As Peter was traveling from place to place, he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda.
33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years.
34 Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and spread out your mat." Immediately he got up.
35 All who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated Dorcas). She was always doing good works and acts of charity.
37 In those days she became sick and died. After they had washed her body, they placed her in an upstairs room.
38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him, urging him, "Please come to us without delay."
39 Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they took him upstairs to the room. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room, knelt down, and prayed. Then he turned to the body and said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 He gave her his hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her to them alive.
42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
43 Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with a man named Simon, a tanner.