Acts 9:22-43

22But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the 1Christ.

23When 2many days had elapsed, 3the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24but 4their plot became known to Saul. 5They 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.

266When 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 7Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had 8seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how 9he had 10spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus at Damascus. 28And he was with them, 11moving about freely in Jerusalem, 12speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29And he was talking and arguing with the 1314Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. 30Now when 15the 16brothers learned of it, they brought him down to 17Caesarea and 18sent him away to 19Tarsus.

31So 20the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria 21enjoyed peace, as it was being built up; and as it 22continued 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 23the 24saints who lived at 2526Lydda. 33There he found a man named Aeneas who had been bedridden for eight years, 27because 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 2829Lydda and 30Sharon saw him, and they 31turned to the Lord.

36Now in 32Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which when translated means 33Dorcas); this woman was 34excelling in acts of kindness and charity which she did habitually. 37But it happened 35at that time that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an 36upstairs room. 38Since Lydda was near 37Joppa, 38the 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 39room upstairs; and all the 40widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the 41tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40But Peter 42sent them all out and 43knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “44Tabitha, 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 45the 46saints and 47widows, he presented her alive. 42It became known all over 48Joppa, and 49many believed in the Lord. 43And Peter stayed in 50Joppa many days with 51a tanner named Simon.