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as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. From them I also received letters to the brothers in Damascus, and I went there in order to bind those who were there and to bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment.
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"While I was on my way and approaching Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about 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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I answered, "Who are you, Lord?' Then he said to me, "I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.'
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Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
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I asked, "What am I to do, Lord?' The Lord said to me, "Get up and go to Damascus; there you will be told everything that has been assigned to you to do.'
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Since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, those who were with me took my hand and led me to Damascus.
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"A certain Ananias, who was a devout man according to the law and well spoken of by all the Jews living there,
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came to me; and standing beside me, he said, "Brother Saul, regain your sight!' In that very hour I regained my sight and saw him.
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Then he said, "The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear his own voice;
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for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard.