1
“Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.”
2
When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater.
3
Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today.
4
And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison.
5
The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the followers of the Way from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.
6
“As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me.