Acts 9:1-19 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats
against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for
letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who
belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to
Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven
flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul,
Saul, why do you persecute me?” Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now
get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they
heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when
he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into
Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord
called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight
Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision
he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his
sight.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports
about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he
has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on
your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen
instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the
people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing
his hands on Saul, he 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 see again
and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell
from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after
taking some food, he regain his strength.
(NIV) |
