1. "Brothers and fathers," Paul began, "listen to me now. I want to speak up for myself."
2. When they heard that he was speaking to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said,
3. "I am a Jew. I was born in Tarsus in Cilicia. But I grew up here in Jerusalem. I was well trained by Gamaliel in the law of our people. I wanted to serve God as much as any of you do today.
4. I hurt the followers of the Way of Jesus. I sent many of them to their death. I arrested men and women. I threw them into prison.
5. The high priest and the whole Council can give witness to this. I even had some official letters they had written to their friends in Damascus. So I went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.
6. "I had almost reached Damascus. About noon a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me.
7. I fell to the ground and heard a voice speak to me. 'Saul! Saul!' it said. 'Why are you opposing me?'
8. " 'Who are you, Lord?' I asked. " 'I am Jesus of Nazareth,' he replied. 'I am the one you are opposing.'
9. "The light was seen by my companions. But they didn't understand the voice of the one speaking to me.
10. " 'What should I do, Lord?' I asked. " 'Get up,' the Lord said. 'Go into Damascus. There you will be told everything you have been given to do.'
11. The brightness of the light had blinded me. So my companions led me by the hand into Damascus.