¶ Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascon, to the synagogues: that if he found any of this way whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Ierusalem. As he went on his journey, it fortuned that he drew nye to Damascon, and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said what art thou Lord? The Lord said, I am Iesus whom thou persecutest, it shall be hard for thee to kick against the prick. He both trembling and astonied 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 shalt do.
¶ The men which accompanied him on his way stood amazed, for they heard a voice, but saw no man. Saul arose from the earth, And when he had opened his eyes he saw no man. Then led they him by the hand, and brought him into damascon. And he was iij. days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
¶ There was a certain disciple at Damascon named Ananias, to him said the Lord in a vision: Ananias. And he said: I am here Lord. And the Lord said to him: arise and go into the street which is called straight, and seek in the house of Iudas after one called Saul of the city of Tharsus. For behold he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in unto him, And putting his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.
¶ Ananias answered: Lord I have heard by many of this man, how much hurt he hath done to thy saints at Ierusalem: and in this place he hath authority of the high priests to bind all that call on thy name. The Lord said unto him: Go thy ways: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the gentiles, and kings and the children of Israhel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
¶ Ananias went his way and entered into the house and put his hands on him and said: brother Saul, the Lord 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. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales and he received his sight, and arose and was baptised. And received meat and was comforted.
¶ Then was Saul a certain days with the disciples which were at Damascon. And straightway he preached Christ in the Synagogues how that he was the son of God. All that heard him were amazed and said: is not this he that spoiled them which called on this name in Ierusalem? And came hither for the intent that he should bring them bound unto the high priests? Saul increased in strength, And confounded the jews which dwelt at Damascon affirming that this was very Christ.
¶ After a good while, the jews took counsel among themselves to kill him. But their layings wait were known of Saul. And they watched at the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and put him thorow the wall and let him down in a basket.
¶ When Saul came to Ierusalem he assayed to couple himself with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and told them how he had seen the Lord in the way and had spoken with him: and how he had done boldly at Damascon in the name of Iesu, And he had his conversation with them at Ierusalem, and quit himself boldly in the name of the Lord Iesu. And he spake and disputed with the greeks and they went about to slay him. When the brethren knew of that, they brought him to Cesarea, and sent him forth to Tharsus. Then had the congregations rest thorowout all jewry and Galile and Samary, and were edified, and walked in the fear of the Lord, And multiplied by the comfort of the holy ghost.
¶ It chanced that as Peter walked throughout all quarters, he came to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Eneas, which had kept his bed viij. years sick of the palsy. Then said Peter unto him: Eneas, the Lord Iesus Christ make thee whole: Arise and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Assaron, saw him, and turned to the Lord.
¶ There was at Ioppa a certain woman (which was a disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas) she was full of good works and alms deeds, which she did. It chanced in those days that she was sick and died. When they had washed her and laid her in a chamber: Because Lydda was nye to Ioppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him, desiring him that he would not be grieved to come unto them.
¶ Peter arose and came with them: when he was come, they brought him into the chamber, and all the widows stood round about him weeping and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. Peter put them all forth and kneeled down and prayed and turned him to the body, and said: Tabitha, arise. She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lift her up, and called the saints and widows and shewed her alive. And it was known throweout all Ioppa, and many believed on the Lord. And it fortuned that he tarried many days in Ioppa with one Simon a tanner.
© Faith of God
William Tyndale 1526