1
Paul said, "Friends, fellow Jews, listen to my defense to you."
2
When the Jews heard him speaking the Jewish language, they became very quiet. Paul said,
3
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in the country of Cilicia, but I grew up in this city. I was a student of Gamaliel, who carefully taught me everything about the law of our ancestors. I was very serious about serving God, just as are all of you here today.
4
I persecuted the people who followed the Way of Jesus, and some of them were even killed. I arrested men and women and put them in jail.
5
The high priest and the whole council of older Jewish leaders can tell you this is true. They gave me letters to the Jewish brothers in Damascus. So I was going there to arrest these people and bring them back to Jerusalem to be punished.
6
"About noon when I came near Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed all around me.
7
I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'
8
I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' The voice said, 'I am Jesus from Nazareth whom you are persecuting.'
9
Those who were with me did not hear the voice, but they saw the light.
10
I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' The Lord answered, 'Get up and go to Damascus. There you will be told about all the things I have planned for you to do.'
11
I could not see, because the bright light had made me blind. So my companions led me into Damascus.