5
as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.
6
"As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.
7
And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'
8
And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'
9
Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.