31. Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. The Holy Spirit gave the church strength and boldness. So they grew in numbers. And they worshiped the Lord.
32. As Peter traveled around the country, he went to visit God's people in Lydda.
33. There he found a disabled man named Aeneas. For eight years the man had spent most of his time in bed.
34. "Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up! Take care of your mat!" So Aeneas got up right away.
35. Everyone who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him. They turned to the Lord.
36. In Joppa there was a believer named Tabitha. Her name in the Greek language was Dorcas. She was always doing good and helping poor people.
37. About that time she became sick and died. Her body was washed and placed in a room upstairs.
38. Lydda was near Joppa. The believers heard that Peter was in Lydda. So they sent two men to him. They begged him, "Please come at once!"
39. Peter went with them. When he arrived, he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him crying. They showed him the robes and other clothes Dorcas had made while she was still alive.