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But
Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord,
went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at
Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he
might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he journeyed he approached
Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. And he fell to
the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you
persecute me?" And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus,
whom you are persecuting; but rise and enter the city, and you will be told
what you are to do." The men who were traveling with him stood speechless,
hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul arose from the ground; and when
his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and
brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and
neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Anani'as. The Lord said to him in
a vision, "Anani'as." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." And the Lord said to
him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of
Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying, and he has
seen a man named Anani'as come in and lay his hands on him so that he might
regain his sight." But Anani'as answered, "Lord, I have heard from many
about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem; and
here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy
name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine
to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I
will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." So Anani'as
departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said,
"Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you
came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy
Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he
regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized, and took food and was
strengthened. For several days he was with the disciples at Damascus.
Acts 9:1-19
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