1 | "Brethren and fathers, hear the defense which I now make before you." |
2 | And when they heard that he addressed them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet. And he said: |
3 | "I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cili'cia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gama'li-el, educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as you all are this day. |
4 | I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, |
5 | as the high priest and the whole council of elders bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brethren, and I journeyed to Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. |
6 | "As I made my journey and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone 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 are you, Lord?' And he said to me, `I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.' |
9 | Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me. |
10 | And I said, `What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, `Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.' |
11 | And when I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. |
12 | "And one Anani'as, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, |
13 | came to me, and standing by me said to me, `Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And in that very hour I received my sight and saw him. |
14 | And he said, `The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Just One and to hear a voice from his mouth; |
15 | for you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard. |
16 | And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.' |
17 | "When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance |
18 | and saw him saying to me, `Make haste and get quickly out of Jerusalem, because they will not accept your testimony about me.' |
19 | And I said, `Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in thee. |
20 | And when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by and approving, and keeping the garments of those who killed him.' |
21 | And he said to me, `Depart; for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'" |