13
He came and stood beside me. ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!' he said. Instantly, I regained my sight and I could see him.
14
He said, ‘The God of our ancestors has selected you to know his will, to see the righteous one, and to hear his voice.
15
You will be his witness to everyone concerning what you have seen and heard.
16
What are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins as you call on his name.'
17
"When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I had a visionary experience.
18
I saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Hurry!' he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem at once because they won't accept your testimony about me.'
19
I responded, ‘Lord, these people know I used to go from one synagogue to the next, beating those who believe in you and throwing them into prison.
20
When Stephen your witness was being killed, I stood there giving my approval, even watching the clothes that belonged to those who were killing him.'
21
Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'"
22
The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they shouted, "Away with this man! He's not fit to live!"
23
As they were screaming, throwing off their garments, and flinging dust into the air,