3. He continued, “I am a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel and educated according to the strict view of our patriarchal law. Being zealous for God, just as all of you are today,
4. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women in jail,
5. as both the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. After I received letters from them to the brothers, I traveled to Damascus to bring those who were prisoners there to be punished in Jerusalem.
6. “As I was traveling and near Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me.
7. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? ’
8. “I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord? ’“He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the One you are persecuting! ’
9. Now those who were with me saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of the One who was speaking to me.
10. “Then I said, ‘What should I do, Lord? ’“And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything that is assigned for you to do.’
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.’