Acts 22:1–16
1 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” 2 When they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even quieter. m 3 He n continued, “I am a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city o at the feet of Gamaliel p and educated according to the strict view of our patriarchal law. Being zealous for God, just as all of you are today, q 4 I persecuted this Way r to the death, binding and putting both men and women in jail, s 5 as both the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. After I received letters from them to the brothers, I traveled to Damascus to bring those who were prisoners there to be punished in Jerusalem. t
6 “As u I was traveling and near Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’
8 “I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’
“He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the * Nazarene, the One you are persecuting!’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light, v but they did not hear the voice of the One who was speaking to me. w
10 “Then I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’
“And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything that is assigned for you to do.’
11 “Since I couldn’t see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. x 12 Someone named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good reputation with all the Jews residing there, y 13 came and stood by me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And in that very hour I looked up and saw him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed z you to know His will, to see a the Righteous One, b and to hear the sound of His voice. c 15 For you will be a witness for Him to all people of what you have seen and heard. d 16 And now, why delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins e by calling on His name.’ f