1. But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2. and asked for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, both men and women, he could bring them tied up to Jerusalem.
3. Now as he proceeded, it happened that when he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
4. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
5. So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting!
6. But get up and enter into the city, and it will be told to you what you must do.”
7. (Now the men who were traveling together with him stood speechless, because they heard the voice but saw no one.)
8. So Saul got up from the ground, but although his eyes were open he could see nothing. And leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
9. And he was unable to see for three days, and he did not eat or drink.
10. Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” And he said, “Behold, here I am, Lord!”
11. And the Lord said to him, “Get up, go to the street called ‘Straight’ and in the house of Judas look for a man named Saul from Tarsus. For behold, he is praying,
12. and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and placing hands on him so that he may regain his sight.”
13. But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem,
14. and here he has authority from the chief priests to tie up all who call upon your name!”
15. But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel.
16. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”