13. You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it.
14. I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.
15. But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him
16. to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being.
17. Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.
18. Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days.
19. The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother.
20. I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.
21. After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia.