9 In fact, I myself was convinced that it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.h 10 I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I was in agreement against them.i 11 In all the synagogues I often punished them and tried to make them blaspheme.j Since I was terribly enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities.

PAUL’S ACCOUNT OF HIS CONVERSION AND COMMISSION

12 “I was traveling to Damascus underk these circumstances with authority and a commission from the chief priests. 13 King Agrippa, while on the road at midday, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in Aramaic,A ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’l

15 “I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.m 17 I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to themn 18 to open their eyeso so that they may turnB from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’p