11. “Since I couldn’t see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.
12. Someone named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good reputation with all the Jews residing there,
13. came and stood by me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And in that very hour I looked up and saw him.
14. Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of His voice.
15. For you will be a witness for Him to all people of what you have seen and heard.
16. And now, why delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins by calling on His name.’
17. “After I came back to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple complex, I went into a visionary state
18. and saw Him telling me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me! ’
19. “But I said, ‘Lord, they know that in synagogue after synagogue I had those who believed in You imprisoned and beaten.
20. And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I was standing by and approving, and I guarded the clothes of those who killed him.’
21. “Then He said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
22. They listened to him up to this word. Then they raised their voices, shouting, “Wipe this person off the earth — it’s a disgrace for him to live! ”
23. As they were yelling and flinging aside their robes and throwing dust into the air,
24. the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, directing that he be examined with the scourge, so he could discover the reason they were shouting against him like this.