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.
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And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison.
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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.
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“As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me.
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I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
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“‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked. “And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.’
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The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me.
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“I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’
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“I was blinded by the intense light and had to be led by the hand to Damascus by my companions.
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A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus.
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He came and stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And that very moment I could see him!