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

As also the chief Priest doth bear me witness, and all the company of the Elders: of whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring them which were there, bound unto Jerusalem, that they might be punished.

¶ And so it was, as I journeyed, and was come near unto Damascus about noon, that suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

So I fell unto the earth, and heard a voice, saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Then I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

Moreover they that were with me, saw indeed a light and were afraid: but they heard not the voice of him that spake unto me.

10 Then I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus: and there it shall be told thee of all things, which are appointed for thee to do.

11 So when I could not see for the glory of that light, I was led by the hand of them that were with me, and came into Damascus.

12 And one Ananias a godly man, as pertaining to the Law, having good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,

13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight: and that same hour I looked upon him.

14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath appointed thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and shouldest see that Just one, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men, of the things which thou hast seen and heard.

16 Now therefore why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, in calling on the Name of the Lord.

17 ¶ And it came to pass, that when I was come again to Jerusalem, and prayed in the Temple, I was in a trance,

18 And saw him, saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy witness concerning me.

19 Then I said, Lord, they know that I prisoned, and beat in every Synagogue them that believed in thee.

20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also stood by, and consented unto his death, and kept the clothes of them that [a]slew him.

21 Then he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 22:20 This is properly spoken: for Stephen was murdered of a sort of cutthroats, not by order of justice, but by open force: for at that time the Jews could not put any man to death by Law.

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