11
In all the synagogues I often tried to make them blaspheme by punishing them. Being greatly enraged at them, I even pursued them to foreign cities.
Paul's Account of His Conversion and Commission
12 "Under these circumstances I was traveling to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests.
13
At midday, while on the road, O king, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me.
14
When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'
15
"But I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' "And the Lord replied: 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
16
But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of things you have seen, and of things in which I will appear to you.
17
I will rescue you from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,
18
to open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'
19
"Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.
20
Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.
21
For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple complex and were trying to kill me.