The Road to Damascus (Acts 22:1–21; Acts 26:1–23)
1 AKJV And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, BSB BSB: Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest
2 AKJV And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. BSB BSB: and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
3 AKJV And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: BSB BSB: As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
4 AKJV And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecute you me? BSB BSB: He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”
5 AKJV And he said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: it is hard for you to kick against the pricks. BSB BSB: “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied.
6 AKJV And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what will you have me to do? And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do. BSB BSB: “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 AKJV And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. BSB BSB: The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice but did not see anyone.
8 AKJV And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. BSB BSB: Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could not see a thing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.
9 AKJV And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. BSB BSB: For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything.
Ananias Baptizes Saul 10 AKJV And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. BSB BSB: In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Here I am, Lord,” he answered.
11 AKJV And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prays, BSB BSB: “Get up!” 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.
12 AKJV And has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. BSB BSB: In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 AKJV Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem: BSB BSB: But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
14 AKJV And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name. BSB BSB: And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.”
15 AKJV But the Lord said to him, Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: BSB BSB: “Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.
16 AKJV For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. BSB BSB: I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”
17 AKJV And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared to you in the way as you came, has sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. BSB BSB: So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “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.”
18 AKJV And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight immediately, and arose, and was baptized. BSB BSB: At that instant, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and his sight was restored. He got up and was baptized,
19 AKJV And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. BSB BSB: and after taking some food, he regained his strength. And he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
Saul Preaches at Damascus 20 AKJV And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. BSB BSB: Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.”
21 AKJV But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came here for that intent, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests? BSB BSB: All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”
22 AKJV But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelled at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. BSB BSB: But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
The Escape from Damascus 23 AKJV And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: BSB BSB: After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him,
24 AKJV But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. BSB BSB: but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him.
25 AKJV Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. BSB BSB: One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.
Saul in Jerusalem 26 AKJV And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. BSB BSB: When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
27 AKJV 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 he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. BSB BSB: Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how Saul had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had spoken boldly in that city in the name of Jesus.
28 AKJV And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. BSB BSB: So Saul stayed with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
29 AKJV And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. BSB BSB: He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.
30 AKJV Which when the brothers knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. BSB BSB: When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
The Healing of Aeneas 31 AKJV Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. BSB BSB: Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.
32 AKJV And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelled at Lydda. BSB BSB: As Peter traveled throughout the area, he went to visit the saints in Lydda.
33 AKJV And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. BSB BSB: There he found a man named Aeneas who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years.
34 AKJV And Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you whole: arise, and make your bed. And he arose immediately. BSB BSB: “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and put away your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up,
35 AKJV And all that dwelled at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. BSB BSB: and all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
The Raising of Tabitha (John 11:38–44)
36 AKJV Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and giving of alms which she did. BSB BSB: In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas), who was always occupied with works of kindness and charity.
37 AKJV And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. BSB BSB: At that time, however, she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upper room.
38 AKJV And for as much as Lydda was near to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent to him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. BSB BSB: Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to urge him, “Come to us without delay.”
39 AKJV Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. BSB BSB: So Peter got up and went with them. On his arrival, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood around him, weeping and showing him the tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40 AKJV But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. BSB BSB: Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.
41 AKJV And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. BSB BSB: Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her to them alive.
42 AKJV And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. BSB BSB: This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
43 AKJV And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner. BSB BSB: And Peter stayed for several days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.