12. For I did not receive it or learn it from any human source; instead I received it by a revelation of Jesus Christ.
13. For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I was savagely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it.
14. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my nation, and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.
15. But when the one who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased
16. to reveal his Son in me so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not go to ask advice from any human being,
17. nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me, but right away I departed to Arabia, and then returned to Damascus.
18. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and get information from him, and I stayed with him fifteen days.
19. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.
20. I assure you that, before God, I am not lying about what I am writing to you!
21. Afterward I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
22. But I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.
23. They were only hearing, “The one who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the good news of the faith he once tried to destroy.”
24. So they glorified God because of me.