The Road to Damascus (Acts 22:1–21; Acts 26:1–23)
1 RV But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto 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 RV and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of the Way, whether 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 RV And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: BSB BSB: As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
4 RV and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? BSB BSB: He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”
5 RV And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said , I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: BSB BSB: “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied.
6 RV but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. BSB BSB: “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 RV And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man. BSB BSB: The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice but did not see anyone.
8 RV And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and 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 RV And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink. BSB BSB: For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything.
Ananias Baptizes Saul 10 RV Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him 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 RV And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth; 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 RV and he hath seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands 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 RV But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy 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 RV and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name. BSB BSB: And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.”
15 RV But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto 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 RV for I will shew him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake. BSB BSB: I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”
17 RV And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy 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 RV And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he 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 RV and he took food and was strengthened. And he was 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 RV And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, 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 RV And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havock of them which called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before 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 RV But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the 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 RV And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him: BSB BSB: After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him,
24 RV but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him: BSB BSB: but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him.
25 RV but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him 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 RV And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing 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 RV But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly 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 RV And he was with them going 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 RV preaching boldly in the name of the Lord: and he spake and disputed against the Grecian Jews; but they went about to kill him. BSB BSB: He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.
30 RV And when the brethren knew it, 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 RV So the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, was 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 RV And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all parts, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. BSB BSB: As Peter traveled throughout the area, he went to visit the saints in Lydda.
33 RV And there he found a certain man named AEneas, which had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied. BSB BSB: There he found a man named Aeneas who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years.
34 RV And Peter said unto him, AEneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise, and make thy bed. And straightway he arose. BSB BSB: “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and put away your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up,
35 RV And all that dwelt at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they 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 RV Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds 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 RV And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died: and when they had washed her, 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 RV And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, entreating him, Delay not to come on unto us. 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 RV And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing 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 RV But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, he 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 RV And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he 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 RV And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord. BSB BSB: This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
43 RV And it came to pass, that he abode 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.