Paul Called by God

11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters,u that the gospel I preachedv is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man,w nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelationx from Jesus Christ.y

13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism,z how intensely I persecuted the church of Goda and tried to destroy it.b 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealousc for the traditions of my fathers.d 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s wombe and called mef by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles,g my immediate response was not to consult any human being.h 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.i

18 Then after three years,j I went up to Jerusalemk to get acquainted with Cephasb and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James,l the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before Godm that what I am writing you is no lie.n

21 Then I went to Syriao and Cilicia.p 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judeaq that are in Christ.r 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faiths he once tried to destroy.”t 24 And they praised Godu because of me.