interpretation of the law of our fathers, and am a zealous worshipper
of God as you all are to-day; [22:4]and I persecuted this way to death,
binding and committing to prison both men and women, [22:5]as the chief
priest also bears me witness, and all the eldership, from whom also
receiving letters to the brothers I went to Damascus, to bring those
who were there bound to Jerusalem to be punished.

6 [22:6]And when I was on the way and had come nigh to Damascus, about
noon suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me, [22:7]and I
fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do
you persecute me? [22:8]And I answered, Who are you, Lord? And he said
to me, I am Jesus the Nazoraean, whom you persecute. [22:9]And those
that were with me saw the light, but they heard not the voice of him
that spoke to me. [22:10]And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the
Lord said to me, Arise, and go to Damascus, and there it shall be told
you of all things which are appointed for you to do.

7 [22:11]And when I could not see from the brightness of that light,
being led by the hand by those with me, I came to Damascus. [22:12]And
a certain Ananias, a man [living] according to the law, approved by all
the Jews living [there], [22:13]coming and standing by, said to me,
Brother Saul, Receive your sight. And in that hour I looked upon him.
[22:14]And he said, The God of our fathers chose you to know his will,
and to see the Righteous One, and hear the voice of his mouth,
[22:15]for you shall be a witness for him to all men of what you have
seen and heard. [22:16]And now, why do you delay? Arising, baptize and
wash away your sins, calling on his name.

8 [22:17]And when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the
temple, I was in a trance, [22:18]and saw him [Christ], saying to me,
Hasten and depart immediately from Jerusalem, for they will not receive
your testimony of me. [22:19]And I said, Lord, they know that I
imprisoned and beat in the synagogues those who believed on you;
[22:20]and when the blood of your martyr Stephen was poured out, I also
stood by and consented, and kept the clothes of those that killed him.
[22:21]And he said to me, Go, for I will send you to nations far away.

9 [22:22]And they heard him to this word, and lifted up their voice
saying, Take away such a man from the earth; it is not fit that he
should live. [22:23] And as they cried and rent their clothes and cast
dust in the air, [2