CHAP. IX.

1 AND Saul, still breathing out threatenings and slaughter amongst the disciples of the 2 Lord, went unto the high priest, 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 3 bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest 5 thou me ? And he said, And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick 6 against the pricks. And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me do ? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee 7 what thou must do. And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a 8 voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man but they led him by the hand, 9 and brought him into Damascus. And he

* Damascus was north from Jerusalem, upwards of an hundred miles, in Colo-Syria.

This sect; that is, Christians.

The latter part of the 5th, and the first part of the 6th verses, are wanting in some ancient versions.

was three days without sight, and neither did he cat or drink. 10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, 11 Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto 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 12 he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias, coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias said, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done 11 to thy saints at Jerusalem. And here he hath

authority from the chief priests to bind all who 15 call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, 16 and kings, and the children of Israel. For I

will shew him what great things he must 17 suffer for my name's sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord (even Jesus who appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest) hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be 18 filled with the Holy Spirit. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales and he received sight immediately, and arose, and 19 was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then Saul was some days with the disciples who were at 20 Damascus. And immediately he preached

Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of 21 God. But all who heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he who destroyed them who called on this name in Jerusalem, and who came hither for the intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests ?* 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.†

23 And after some days had passed, the Jews 24 took counsel to kill him: (But their intention was known by Saul :) and they watched the gates day and night how they might slay him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let 25 him down by the wall in a basket. And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was 27 a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them that he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and that he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name 28 of Jesus. And he was with them, coming in and 29 going out at Jerusalem. And he spake boldly

* The conversion of Paul, with all his prejudices against the gospel, was a most wonderful event. It was effected by a miracle. To the heavenly vision, as he says, he was not disobedient. Though he had been a persecutor of the disciples of Jesus, he says he did it ignorantly. He had been under the influence of designing men. But he did not, like them, shut his eyes against the light of heaven.

That is, that Jesus of Nazareth is the true Messiah.
They could hardly believe that he was sincere in pro-

fessing to be a disciple of Jesus.

in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians:* but they conspired his 30 death. And when the brethren knew it, they

brought him down to Cæsarea, and sent him 31 forth to Tarsus. Then the churches had rest throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied.

32

And it was so that as Peter passed through all places, he came down also to the saints who 33 dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a man named Eneas, who had kept his bed eight 34 years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole Arise and make thy bed. And 35 he arose immediately. And all who dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

36

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, who by interpretation is called Dorcas: This woman was full of good works 37 and alms-giving. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick and died: and when they had washed her, they laid her in an 58 upper chamber. And as Lydda was near to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to 39 them. 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

*Those Jews who lived in the countries of Grecce.

weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 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: 41 and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he 42 presented her alive. And this was known throughout all Joppa :* and many believed in 43 the Lord. And it came to pass, that he resided many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

1

CHAP. X.

NOW there was a certain man in Cæsarea, called Cornelius,† a centurion of the band, 2 called the Italian band, a devout man, and one who served God, with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God 3 always. He saw in a vision evidently, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, 4 Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms

* Joppa was situated on the Mediterranean, about thirtyfive miles W. by N. from Jerusalem.

† Cornelius was educated a Pagan, but had embraced the Jewish religion, and therefore was a worshipper of the true God, It seems that he was sincerely devout and benevolent.