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.'