Read-aloud uses AI-generated Orakel narrator voices when available. Voice names are Orakel styles, not provider names.
Acts Chapter 9 009:001 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 009:002 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 009:003 As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
009:004 He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 009:005 He said, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.{TR adds "It's hard for you to kick against the goads."} 009:006 But{TR omits "But" } rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do." 009:007 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one.
009:008 Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 009:009 He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank. 009:010 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias.
The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias!" He said, "Behold, it's me, Lord." 009:011 The Lord said to him, "Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah{or, Judas} for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus.
For behold, he is praying, 009:012 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight." 009:013 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem. 009:014 Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name." 009:015 But the Lord said to him, "Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.
009:016 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake." 009:017 Ananias departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 009:018 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized. 009:019 He took food and was strengthened.
Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus. 009:020 Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God. 009:021 All who heard him were amazed, and said, "Isn't this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!" 009:022 But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
009:023 When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him, 009:024 but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him, 009:025 but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket. 009:026 When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
009:027 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 009:028 He was with them entering into{TR and NU add "and going out"} Jerusalem, 009:029 preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists,{The Hellenists were Hebrews who used Greek language and culture.} but they were seeking to kill him.
009:030 When the brothers{The word for "brothers" here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus. 009:031 So the assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
009:032 It happened, as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 009:033 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed. 009:034 Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!" Immediately he arose. 009:035 All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
009:036 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas.{"Dorcas" is Greek for "Gazelle."} This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did. 009:037 It happened in those days that she fell sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. 009:038 As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men{Reading from NU, TR; MT omits "two men"} to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
009:039 Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 009:040 Peter put them all out, and kneeled down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, get up!" She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 009:041 He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
009:042 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 009:043 It happened, that he stayed many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner.