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

17 “After I came back to Jerusalem and was praying in the * temple complex, I went into a visionary state g 18 and saw Him telling me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me!’

19 “But I said, ‘Lord, they know that in * synagogue after synagogue I had those who believed in You imprisoned and beaten. h 20 And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I was standing by and approving, i and I guarded the clothes of those who killed him.’ j

21 “Then He said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ” k