1
"Brothers and fathers, listen as I now present my case to you."
2
When the mob heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more quiet. Then Paul continued,
3
"I'm a Jew. I was born and raised in the city of Tarsus in Cilicia and received my education from Gamaliel here in Jerusalem. My education was in the strict rules handed down by our ancestors. I was as devoted to God as all of you are today.
4
I persecuted people who followed the way [of Christ]: I tied up men and women and put them into prison until they were executed.
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?'