Luke 2:34

²³but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks,

⁷For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,”

⁸and, “a stumbling stone and a rock of offense.”For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.

¹⁴He will be a sanctuary, but for both houses of Israel, he will be a stumbling stone and a rock that makes them fall. For the people of Jerusalem, he will be a trap and a snare. ¹⁵Many will stumble over it, fall, be broken, be snared, and be captured.”

⁴⁴He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust.”

¹But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ²and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. ⁴He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

⁵He said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

^6[+] But^[+] rise up and enter into the city, then you will be told what you must do.”

⁷The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one. ⁸Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.

¹⁰Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”

¹¹The Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah^[+] for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, ¹²and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”

¹³But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem. ¹⁴Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”

¹⁵But 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 Israel. ¹⁶For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

¹⁷Ananias departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized. ¹⁹He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.

²⁰Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.

⁹Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Who is prudent, that he may know them? For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

¹⁵For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God in those who are saved and in those who perish: ¹⁶to the one a stench from death to death, to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

⁷The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁶When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers^[+] before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also,

²⁶The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers plot together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.’