Acts 22:1-11 ▼

1 My brethren, and fathers, pray hear what I have to say for my self.

2 when they perceiv'd he talk'd Hebrew, they were the more silent.

3 then he said, I am a Jew, a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, but had my education in this city: at the feet of Gamaliel I was instructed in the law, and in the exact decisions of our fathers, and was as religiously zealous as you are at this time.

4 for I persecuted this sect even to death, throwing them into chains and prisons both men and women:

5 this the high-priest and the senate know too well: from them I receiv'd my warrant directed to the Jews of Damascus, where I went, to bring the converts there in chains to Jerusalem, in order to be punished.

6 as I was upon the road, advanc'd near Damascus, about mid-day, all of a sudden a great light from heaven broke all around me.

7 I fell to the ground, and heard a voice pronounce these words, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"

8 I answered, who art thou, Lord? it answered, "I am Jesus the Nazarene whom thou dost persecute."

9 the company actually saw the light, but did not hear the voice of him that spoke to me.

10 then I said, Lord, what must I do? and the Lord answer'd, arise, go to Damascus; there you will be inform'd what you are to do.

11 but as I had lost the use of my eyes by the splendor of that light, I was led by the hand to Damascus, by those who were with me.