5
The chief priest and the entire council of our leaders can prove that I did this. In fact, they even gave me letters to take to the Jewish community in the city of Damascus. I was going there to tie up believers and bring them back to Jerusalem to punish them.
6
"But as I was on my way and approaching the city of Damascus about noon, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me.
7
I fell to the ground and heard a voice asking me, 'Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?'
8
"I answered, 'Who are you, sir?' "The person told me, 'I'm Jesus from Nazareth, the one you're persecuting.'
9
"The men who were with me saw the light but didn't understand what the person who was speaking to me said.