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"My fellow Jews, listen to me as I make my defense before you!"
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When they heard him speaking to them in Hebrew, they became even quieter; and Paul went on:
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"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up here in Jerusalem as a student of Gamaliel. I received strict instruction in the Law of our ancestors and was just as dedicated to God as are all of you who are here today.
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I persecuted to the death the people who followed this Way. I arrested men and women and threw them into prison.
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The High Priest and the whole Council can prove that I am telling the truth. I received from them letters written to fellow Jews in Damascus, so I went there to arrest these people and bring them back in chains to Jerusalem to be punished.
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"As I was traveling and coming near Damascus, about midday a bright light from the sky flashed suddenly around me.
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I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, "Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?'
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"Who are you, Lord?' I asked. "I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute,' he said to me.
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The men with me saw the light, but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
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I asked, "What shall I do, Lord?' and the Lord said to me, "Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything that God has determined for you to do.'