大馬士革路上

掃羅仍然向主的門徒們口吐凶殺威嚇的話。他來到大祭司面前, 求他發一些信函給大馬士革各會堂,准許掃羅如果發現什麼人屬於這道[a],無論男女,都捆綁起來,帶到耶路撒冷 掃羅趕路,快到大馬士革的時候,忽然有光從天上下來,四面照射他。 他仆倒在地上,聽見有聲音對他說:掃羅掃羅!你為什麼逼迫我?」

他問:「主啊,你到底是誰?」

主說:「我就是你所逼迫的耶穌。[b] [c]你起來,進城去!有人會告訴你應該做什麼。」

掃羅同行的人都站著,啞口無言,他們雖然聽見聲音,卻看不見任何人。 掃羅從地上爬起來,睜開眼睛,卻什麼也看不見。他們牽著他的手,把他帶進大馬士革 他三天不能看見,不吃也不喝。

掃羅受洗

10 大馬士革有一個名叫阿納尼亞的門徒。主在異象中對他說:阿納尼亞!」

他回答說:「主啊!看哪,我在這裡。」

11 主就對他說:「起來,往那叫做『直』的街上去,在猶大家裡找一個名叫掃羅塔爾蘇人。看哪,原來他正在禱告。 12 他在異象中[d]看見了一個名叫阿納尼亞的人,進來按手在他身上,使他重見光明。」

13 阿納尼亞卻回答:「主啊,我聽許多人說過有關這個人在耶路撒冷對你的聖徒們所做的種種惡事。 14 並且,他得到祭司長們的授權來到這裡,要捆綁所有求告你名的人。」

15 但是主對他說:「你去吧!因為這個人是我所揀選的器皿,不但要在外邦人和君王面前,還要在以色列子民面前宣揚[e]我的名。 16 我要指示他,為了我的名他必須受多大的苦害。」

17 阿納尼亞就去了。他進了那家,按手在掃羅身上,說:「掃羅弟兄,在你來的路上向你顯現的主耶穌差派我來,使你重見光明,並且被聖靈充滿。」

18 立刻有像鱗片一樣的東西從掃羅的眼睛上掉了下來,他就重見光明了。於是他起來受了洗; 19 吃過飯,體力就恢復了。

掃羅傳講基督

掃羅與在大馬士革的門徒們住了幾天, 20 就立刻在各會堂裡傳講耶穌[f],說這一位就是神的兒子。

21 所有聽見的人都十分驚訝,說:「這不就是那個在耶路撒冷殘害了那些求告這名的人嗎?而且他來到這裡,不就是為要捆綁他們,帶到祭司長們那裡嗎?」

22 掃羅反而更加得以剛強,證明這一位就是基督,使住在大馬士革猶太人很狼狽。

23 過了許多日子以後,猶太人商議要殺了掃羅 24 但他們的陰謀卻被掃羅知道了。於是他們就日夜嚴守著各城門,要殺掉他。 25 然而他的門徒們趁夜把他帶去,用筐子把他從城牆上縋了下去。

掃羅在耶路撒冷

26 掃羅來到耶路撒冷,想要和門徒們交往,可是大家都怕他,不相信他成了門徒。 27 但是巴拿巴接納他,把他帶到使徒們那裡,並且告訴他們掃羅怎樣在路上見到主,主怎樣對他說了話,以及他怎樣在大馬士革奉耶穌的名放膽傳道。 28 於是掃羅耶路撒冷與他們一起出入,奉主[g]的名放膽傳道。 29 他對那些說希臘語的猶太人講道,與他們辯論;他們卻圖謀要殺了他。 30 弟兄們知道了這事,就帶他下到凱撒里亞,然後送他往塔爾蘇去。

31 這樣,教會在猶太加利利撒馬利亞全地得平安、得造就,並且懷著對主的敬畏之心不斷地前行,在聖靈的安慰[h]中不斷地增長。

艾尼亞痊癒

32 有一次,彼得走遍各地的時候,也下到住在利達的聖徒們那裡。 33 在那裡,他遇見了一個名叫艾尼亞的人。他是個癱瘓的人,躺在墊子上八年了。 34 彼得對他說:「艾尼亞,耶穌基督使你痊癒。站起來,為你自己整理墊子吧!」艾尼亞立刻就站起來了。 35 於是所有住在利達沙崙的人看到他,就歸向了主。

塔比莎復活

36 約帕有一個女門徒,名叫塔比莎——「塔比莎」翻譯出來意思是「羚羊[i]」。她盡做美善工作,常行施捨。 37 就在那些日子裡,她患病死了。人們清洗了遺體,就放在樓上的房間。 38 利達約帕不遠,門徒們聽說彼得利達,就派了兩個人到他那裡,懇求他說:「請你來到我們這裡,不要耽延!」 39 彼得就起身陪他們一起去。到了以後,他們把他領到樓上的房間。所有的寡婦都站在彼得旁邊哭,把多卡絲與她們在一起的時候所縫製的衣服和袍子拿給他看。 40 彼得叫大家都出去,然後跪下禱告,接著轉過身對著遺體,說:「塔比莎,你起來!」那婦人就睜開眼睛,看見彼得,而且坐了起來。 41 彼得伸手扶她站起來,又叫聖徒們和寡婦們進來,把活過來的多卡絲交給他們。 42 這事傳遍了整個約帕,許多人就信了主。 43 後來,彼得約帕的一個硝皮匠西門家裡住了許多日子。

Footnotes

  1. 使徒行傳 9:2 道——或譯作「路」。
  2. 使徒行傳 9:5 有古抄本附「你腳踢刺棒,是狂妄的。」
  3. 使徒行傳 9:6 有古抄本附「他又驚恐,又戰抖,說:『主啊!你要我做什麼呢?』主對他說:『……』」
  4. 使徒行傳 9:12 有古抄本沒有「在異象中」。
  5. 使徒行傳 9:15 宣揚——原文直譯「擔當」。
  6. 使徒行傳 9:20 耶穌——有古抄本作「基督」。
  7. 使徒行傳 9:28 主——有古抄本作「主耶穌」。
  8. 使徒行傳 9:31 安慰——或譯作「鼓勵」。
  9. 使徒行傳 9:36 羚羊——音譯為「多卡絲」。

Saul’s Conversion(A)

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.(B) He went to the high priest 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. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.(E) He fell to the ground and heard a voice(F) say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”(G)

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound(H) but did not see anyone.(I) 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. 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)

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,(AF) 24 but Saul learned of their plan.(AG) Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.(AH)

26 When he came to Jerusalem,(AI) he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas(AJ) took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him,(AK) and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.(AL) 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a](AM) but they tried to kill him.(AN) 30 When the believers(AO) learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea(AP) and sent him off to Tarsus.(AQ)

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria(AR) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.(AS)

Aeneas and Dorcas

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people(AT) who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you.(AU) Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon(AV) saw him and turned to the Lord.(AW)

36 In Joppa(AX) there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good(AY) and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.(AZ) 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples(BA) heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows(BB) stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room;(BC) then he got down on his knees(BD) and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.”(BE) She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.(BF) 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.(BG)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:29 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture

The Conversion of Saul

But Saul, (A)still (B)breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to (C)the high priest and asked him for letters (D)to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to (E)the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. (F)Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting (G)me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, (H)whom you are persecuting. But (I)rise and enter the city, and you will be told (J)what you are to do.” (K)The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, (L)hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, (M)he saw 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.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named (N)Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, (O)“Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man (P)of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and (Q)lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, (R)how much evil he has done to (S)your (T)saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from (U)the chief priests to bind all who (V)call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for (W)he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name (X)before the Gentiles and (Y)kings and the children of Israel. 16 For (Z)I will show him how much (AA)he must suffer (AB)for the sake of my name.” 17 So (AC)Ananias departed and entered the house. And (AD)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 so that you may regain your sight and (AE)be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and (AF)he regained his sight. Then (AG)he rose and was baptized; 19 and (AH)taking food, he was strengthened.

Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues

For (AI)some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, (AJ)“He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who (AK)made havoc (AL)in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul (AM)increased all the more in strength, and (AN)confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving (AO)that Jesus was the Christ.

Saul Escapes from Damascus

23 (AP)When many days had passed, the Jews[a] plotted to kill him, 24 but their (AQ)plot became known to Saul. (AR)They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and (AS)let him down through an opening in the wall,[b] lowering him in a basket.

Saul in Jerusalem

26 And (AT)when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But (AU)Barnabas took him and (AV)brought him to the apostles and declared to them (AW)how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and (AX)how at Damascus he had (AY)preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went (AZ)in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against (BA)the Hellenists.[c] But (BB)they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when (BC)the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off (BD)to Tarsus.

31 So (BE)the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And (BF)walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, (BG)it multiplied.

The Healing of Aeneas

32 Now (BH)as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, (BI)Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 (BJ)And all the residents of Lydda and (BK)Sharon saw him, and (BL)they turned to the Lord.

Dorcas Restored to Life

36 Now there was in (BM)Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas.[d] She was full of (BN)good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in (BO)an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, (BP)“Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to (BQ)the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics[e] and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter (BR)put them all outside, and (BS)knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body (BT)he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and (BU)many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days (BV)with one Simon, a tanner.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:23 The Greek word Ioudaioi refers specifically here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time
  2. Acts 9:25 Greek through the wall
  3. Acts 9:29 That is, Greek-speaking Jews
  4. Acts 9:36 The Aramaic name Tabitha and the Greek name Dorcas both mean gazelle
  5. Acts 9:39 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin