Acts of the Apostles

As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he asked the commanding officer, "May I say something to you?" He said, "Do you know Greek?

Aren't you then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?"

But Paul said, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak to the people."

When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,

"Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to you."

When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they were even more quiet. He said,

"I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are this day.

I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

As also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and journeyed to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.

It happened that, as I made my journey, and came close to Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from the sky a great light around me.

I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?'

I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute.'

"Those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they didn't understand the voice of him who spoke to me.

I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' The Lord said to me, 'Arise, and go into Damascus. There you will be told about all things which are appointed for you to do.'

When I couldn't see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.

One Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews who lived there,

came to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' In that very hour I looked up at him.

He said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth.