13 For you have heard about my former way of lifeq in Judaism:r I intensely persecuteds God’s church and tried to destroy it. 14 I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.t 15 But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and calledu me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Sonv in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone.D 17 I did not go up to Jerusalemw to those who had become apostlesx before me; instead I went to Arabiay and came back to Damascus.z

18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalemaa to get to know Cephas,E,ab and I stayed with him fifteen days.