1
But Sha'ul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the talmidim of the Lord, went to the Kohen Gadol,
2
and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Dammesek, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Yerushalayim.
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As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Dammesek, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
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He fell on the eretz, and heard a voice saying to him, "Sha'ul, Sha'ul, why do you persecute me?"
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He said, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Yeshua, whom you are persecuting.
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But rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
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The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one.
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Sha'ul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Dammesek.
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He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
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Now there was a certain talmid at Dammesek named Hananyah. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Hananyah!" He said, "Behold, it's me, Lord."
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The Lord said to him, "Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Yehudah for one named Sha'ul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying,
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and in a vision he has seen a man named Hananyah coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight."
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But Hananyah answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your holy ones at Yerushalayim.
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Here he has authority from the chief Kohanim to bind all who call on your name."
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But the Lord said to him, "Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Yisra'el.
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For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake."
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Hananyah departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, "Brother Sha'ul, the Lord, who appeared to you in the way which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Ruach HaKodesh."
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Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was immersed.
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He took food and was strengthened. Sha'ul stayed several days with the talmidim who were at Dammesek.
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Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Messiah, that he is the Son of God.
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All who heard him were amazed, and said, "Isn't this he who in Yerushalayim made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief Kohanim!"