17
Ananias left and entered Judas' house. After he placed his hands on Saul, Ananias said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way to Damascus, sent me to you. He wants you to see again and to be filled with the Holy Spirit."
18
Immediately, something like fish scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. Then Saul stood up and was baptized.
19
After he had something to eat, his strength came back to him. Saul was with the disciples in the city of Damascus for several days.
20
He immediately began to spread the word in their synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God.
21
Everyone who heard him was amazed. They asked, "Isn't this the man who destroyed those who worshiped the one named Jesus in Jerusalem? Didn't he come here to take these worshipers as prisoners to the chief priests [in Jerusalem]?"
22
Saul grew more powerful, and he confused the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.
23
Later the Jews planned to murder Saul,
24
but Saul was told about their plot. They were watching the city gates day and night in order to murder him.
25
However, Saul's disciples lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall one night.
26
After Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples. But everyone was afraid of him. They wouldn't believe that he was a disciple.
27
Then Barnabas took an interest in Saul and brought him to the apostles. Barnabas told the apostles how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had spoken to him. Barnabas also told them how boldly Saul had spoken about the one named Jesus in the city of Damascus.