Acts 9:23-43

23When 1many days had elapsed, 2the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24but 3their plot became known to Saul. 4They 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.

265When 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 6Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had 7seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how 8he had 9spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus at Damascus. 28And he was with them, 10moving about freely in Jerusalem, 11speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29And he was talking and arguing with the 1213Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. 30Now when 14the 15brothers learned of it, they brought him down to 16Caesarea and 17sent him away to 18Tarsus.

31So 19the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria 20enjoyed peace, as it was being built up; and as it 21continued 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 22the 23saints who lived at 2425Lydda. 33There he found a man named Aeneas who had been bedridden for eight years, 26because 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 2728Lydda and 29Sharon saw him, and they 30turned to the Lord.

36Now in 31Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which when translated means 32Dorcas); this woman was 33excelling in acts of kindness and charity which she did habitually. 37But it happened 34at that time that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an 35upstairs room. 38Since Lydda was near 36Joppa, 37the 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 38room upstairs; and all the 39widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the 40tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40But Peter 41sent them all out and 42knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “43Tabitha, 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 44the 45saints and 46widows, he presented her alive. 42It became known all over 47Joppa, and 48many believed in the Lord. 43And Peter stayed in 49Joppa many days with 50a tanner named Simon.