Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the
disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2
and asked him for
letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who
belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to
Jerusalem. 3Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus,
suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground
and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom
you are persecuting. 6But get up and enter the city, and you will be told
what you are to do.” 7The men who were traveling with him stood
speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8Saul got up
from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing;
so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9For three
days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said
to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11The
Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the
house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he
is praying, 12and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in
and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13But
Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how
much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; 14and here he has
authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” 15But
the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to
bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel;
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16I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my
name.” 17So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on
Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on
your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be
filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18And immediately something like scales fell
from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was
baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Reader: Word of God. Word of Life.