Font Size
Acts 9:1-22
New American Standard Bible
Acts 9:1-22
New American Standard Bible
The Conversion of Saul
9 (A)Now [a]Saul, still (B)breathing [b]threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for (C)letters from him to (D)the synagogues in (E)Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to [c](F)the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them in shackles to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and (G)suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and (H)he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and (I)it will be told to you what you must do.” 7 The men who traveled with him (J)stood speechless, (K)hearing the [d]voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and (L)though his eyes were open, he [e]could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into (M)Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10 Now there was a disciple in (N)Damascus named (O)Ananias; and the Lord said to him in (P)a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from (Q)Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 12 and he has seen [f]in a vision a man named Ananias come in and (R)lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, (S)how much harm he did to (T)Your [g]saints in Jerusalem; 14 and here he (U)has authority from the chief priests to [h]arrest all who (V)call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for (W)he is a chosen [i]instrument of Mine, to bear My name before (X)the Gentiles and (Y)kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for (Z)I will show him how much he must suffer in behalf of My name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after (AA)laying his hands on him said, “(AB)Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be (AC)filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like fish scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened.
Saul Begins to Preach Christ
Now (AD)for several days he was with (AE)the disciples who were in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus (AF)in the synagogues, [j]saying, “He is (AG)the Son of God.” 21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not the one who in Jerusalem (AH)destroyed those who (AI)called on this name, and had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the [k]Christ.
Read full chapter
Acts 9:1-22
New International Version
Acts 9:1-22
New International Version
Saul’s Conversion(A)
9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.(B) He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,(C) so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,(D) whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.(E) 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice(F) say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”(G)
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound(H) but did not see anyone.(I) 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.(J) So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,(K) “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus(L) named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on(M) him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people(N) in Jerusalem.(O) 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests(P) to arrest all who call on your name.”(Q)
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument(R) to proclaim my name to the Gentiles(S) and their kings(T) and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”(U)
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on(V) 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.”(W) 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,(X) 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
Saul spent several days with the disciples(Y) in Damascus.(Z) 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues(AA) that Jesus is the Son of God.(AB) 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?(AC) And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”(AD) 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.(AE)
Acts 9:1-22
King James Version
Acts 9:1-22
King James Version
9 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 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 unto Jerusalem.
3 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 thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 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.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor 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, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 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 answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 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:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
17 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 unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
21 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 hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
Read full chapter
Acts 22:3-16
New American Standard Bible
Acts 22:3-16
New American Standard Bible
3 “(A)I am (B)a Jew, born in (C)Tarsus of (D)Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated [a]under (E)Gamaliel, [b](F)strictly according to the Law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as (G)you all are today. 4 (H)I persecuted this (I)Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, 5 as also (J)the high priest and all (K)the Council of the elders [c]can testify. From them I also (L)received letters to (M)the brothers, and started off for (N)Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem [d]as prisoners to be punished.
6 “(O)But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus at about noon, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, 7 and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am (P)Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 And those who were with me (Q)saw the light, but (R)did not [e]understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, ‘(S)What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything that has been appointed for you to do.’ 11 But since I (T)could not see because of the [f]brightness of that light, I came into Damascus being led by the hand by those who were with me.
12 “Now a certain (U)Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law and (V)well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing nearby he said to me, ‘(W)Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And [g](X)at that very moment I looked up at him. 14 And he said, ‘(Y)The God of our fathers has (Z)appointed you to know His will and to (AA)see the (AB)Righteous One and to hear a [h]message from His mouth. 15 For you will be (AC)a witness for Him to all people of (AD)what you have seen and heard. 16 Now why do you delay? (AE)Get up and be baptized, and (AF)wash away your sins by (AG)calling on His name.’
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 22:3 Lit at the feet of
- Acts 22:3 Lit according to the strictness of the ancestral law
- Acts 22:5 Lit testifies for me
- Acts 22:5 Lit having been bound
- Acts 22:9 Or hear (with comprehension)
- Acts 22:11 Lit glory
- Acts 22:13 Or instantly; lit at the very hour
- Acts 22:14 Lit voice
Acts 22:3-16
New International Version
Acts 22:3-16
New International Version
3 “I am a Jew,(A) born in Tarsus(B) of Cilicia,(C) but brought up in this city. I studied under(D) Gamaliel(E) and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors.(F) I was just as zealous(G) for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted(H) the followers of this Way(I) to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison,(J) 5 as the high priest and all the Council(K) can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates(L) in Damascus,(M) and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.(N) 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’
8 “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.
“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth,(O) whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 9 My companions saw the light,(P) but they did not understand the voice(Q) of him who was speaking to me.
10 “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.
“ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’(R) 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.(S)
12 “A man named Ananias came to see me.(T) He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.(U) 13 He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.
14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors(V) has chosen you to know his will and to see(W) the Righteous One(X) and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness(Y) to all people of what you have seen(Z) and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized(AA) and wash your sins away,(AB) calling on his name.’(AC)
Acts 22:3-16
King James Version
Acts 22:3-16
King James Version
3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Read full chapter
Acts 26:9-18
New American Standard Bible
Acts 26:9-18
New American Standard Bible
9 “So (A)I thought to myself that I had to act in strong opposition to (B)the name of Jesus [a]of Nazareth. 10 And this is [b]just what I (C)did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the [c]saints in prisons, after (D)receiving authority from the chief priests, but I also (E)cast my vote against them when they were being put to death. 11 And (F)as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and since I was (G)extremely enraged at them, I kept pursuing them (H)even to [d]foreign cities.
12 “[e]While so engaged, (I)as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, [f]brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who were journeying with me. 14 And when we had (J)all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the [g](K)Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? [h]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But get up and (L)stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to (M)appoint you as a (N)servant and (O)a witness not only to the things in which you have seen Me, but also to the things in which I will appear to you, 17 (P)rescuing you (Q)from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to (R)open their eyes so that they may turn from (S)darkness to light, and from the [i]power of (T)Satan to God, that they may receive (U)forgiveness of sins and an (V)inheritance among those who have been sanctified by (W)faith in Me.’
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 26:9 Or the Nazarene
- Acts 26:10 Lit also
- Acts 26:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Acts 26:11 Or outlying
- Acts 26:12 Lit In which things
- Acts 26:13 Lit above the brightness of
- Acts 26:14 I.e., Jewish Aramaic
- Acts 26:14 An idiom referring to an animal’s futile resistance to being prodded with a spiked stick
- Acts 26:18 Or dominion
Acts 26:9-18
New International Version
Acts 26:9-18
New International Version
9 “I too was convinced(A) that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose(B) the name of Jesus of Nazareth.(C) 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people(D) in prison,(E) and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.(F) 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished,(G) and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.
12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice(H) saying to me in Aramaic,[a](I) ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet.(J) I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.(K) 17 I will rescue you(L) from your own people and from the Gentiles.(M) I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes(N) and turn them from darkness to light,(O) and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins(P) and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’(Q)
Footnotes
- Acts 26:14 Or Hebrew
Acts 26:9-18
King James Version
Acts 26:9-18
King James Version
9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Read full chapter
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.