Acts 22:1-13 ▼

1 Brethren and fathers, hear my defense, which I now make before you.

2 When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept the greater silence. And he said:

3 I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, yet educated in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, and instructed according to the strict discipline of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, as you all are this day.

4 And I persecuted this way to the death, binding and delivering into prison both men and women,

5 as the chief priest and the whole body of elders will testify for me. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring those, also, who were there, bound to Jerusalem, that they might be punished.

6 But it came to pass, that, as I was on my journey, and was drawing near to Damascus, about midday, there suddenly shone from heaven a great light round about me;

7 and I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

8 And I answered, Who art thou Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you persecute.

9 They who were with me saw the light, and were afraid, but did not understand the voice of him who spoke to me.

10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, Arise, and go into Damascus, and there you shall be told of all things that are appointed for you to do.

11 And as I could not see for the glory of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and went into Damascus.

12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, who had a good report from all the Jews that dwelt there,

13 came to me, and standing by me, said, Brother Saul, receive your sight. And the same hour I looked upon him.