4
And my life indeed from my youth, which was from the beginning among my own nation in Jerusalem, all the Jews do know:
5
Having known me from the beginning (if they will give testimony) that according to the most sure sect of our religion I lived, a Pharisee.
6
And now for the hope of the promise that was made by God to the fathers, do I stand subject to judgment:
7
Unto which, our twelve tribes, serving night and day, hope to come. For which hope, O king, I am accused by the Jews.
8
Why should it be thought a thing incredible that God should raise the dead?
9
And I indeed did formerly think that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10
Which also I did at Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority of the chief priests. And when they were put to death, I brought the sentence.
11
And oftentimes punishing them, in every synagogue, I compelled them to blaspheme: and being yet more mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.
12
Whereupon, when I was going to Damascus with authority and permission of the chief priest,
13
At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that were in company with me.
14
And when we were all fallen down on the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the good.