Acts 9:19-43

19and he took food and was strengthened.

Now 1for several days he was with 2the disciples who were in Damascus, 20and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus 3in the synagogues, 4saying, “He is 5the Son of God.” 21All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not the one who in Jerusalem 6destroyed those who 7called on this name, and had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” 22But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the 8Christ.

23When 9many days had elapsed, 10the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24but 11their plot became known to Saul. 12They were also closely watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25but his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

2613When he came to Jerusalem, he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him, as they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27But 14Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had 15seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how 16he had 17spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus at Damascus. 28And he was with them, 18moving about freely in Jerusalem, 19speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29And he was talking and arguing with the 2021Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. 30Now when 22the 23brothers learned of it, they brought him down to 24Caesarea and 25sent him away to 26Tarsus.

31So 27the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria 28enjoyed peace, as it was being built up; and as it 29continued in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it kept increasing.

32Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he also came down to 30the 31saints who lived at 3233Lydda. 33There he found a man named Aeneas who had been bedridden for eight years, 34because he was paralyzed. 34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your own bed.” Immediately he got up. 35And all who lived at 3536Lydda and 37Sharon saw him, and they 38turned to the Lord.

36Now in 39Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which when translated means 40Dorcas); this woman was 41excelling in acts of kindness and charity which she did habitually. 37But it happened 42at that time that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an 43upstairs room. 38Since Lydda was near 44Joppa, 45the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” 39So Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the 46room upstairs; and all the 47widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the 48tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40But Peter 49sent them all out and 50knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “51Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling 52the 53saints and 54widows, he presented her alive. 42It became known all over 55Joppa, and 56many believed in the Lord. 43And Peter stayed in 57Joppa many days with 58a tanner named Simon.