31. The church everywhere in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had a time of peace. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the group became stronger. The believers showed that they respected the Lord by the way they lived. Because of this, the group of believers grew larger and larger.
32. As Peter was traveling through all the area, he visited God’s people who lived in Lydda.
33. There he met a paralyzed man named Aeneas. Aeneas had not been able to leave his bed for the past eight years.
34. Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Stand up and make your bed!” Aeneas stood up immediately.
35. All the people living in Lydda and on the Plain of Sharon saw him. These people turned to the Lord.
36. In the city of Joppa there was a follower named Tabitha. (Her Greek name, Dorcas, means “a deer.”) She was always doing good and helping the poor.
37. While Peter was in Lydda, Tabitha became sick and died. Her body was washed and put in a room upstairs.
38. The followers in Joppa heard that Peter was in Lydda. (Lydda is near Joppa.) So they sent two men to Peter. They begged him, “Hurry, please come to us!”