ed that he was borne up by the
soldiers, because of the press of the crowd. (36)For a multitude of the
people followed, crying, Away with him! (37)And when he was just ready
to be carried into the fortress, Paul said to the military tribune, May
I be permitted to speak a word to thee? And he said, Dost thou know
Greek? (38)Art not thou certainly that Egyptian who some time since
raised a sedition, and led out into the desert four thousand
cutthroats? (39)But Paul replied, I am indeed a Jew, a man of Tarsus,
of Cilicia, a citizen of no contemptible city: and, I entreat thee,
permit me to speak to the people. (40)So having his permission, Paul
standing on the stairs, waved his hand to the people. And profound
silence being obtained, he spake to them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

CHAP. XXII.

MEN, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my apology which I now offer unto
you. (2)Then when they heard that he spoke unto them in the Hebrew
tongue, they kept the more silence: and he said, (3)I am indeed a
Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but educated in this city at the
feet of Gamaliel, instructed accurately in the law of our fathers,
being zealous for God, as ye all are this day: (4)so much so that I
persecuted this way unto death, binding and delivering up to prisons
both men and women. (5)As also the high-priest will bear me witness,
and all the body of elders: from whom also having received letters unto
the brethren, I went unto Damascus, to bring those who were there in
chains unto Jerusalem, that they might be punished. (6)But as I went
and drew nigh to Damascus, at noon-day, suddenly there shone a great
light from heaven around me. (7)And I fell to the ground, and heard a
voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (8)And I
answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus the
Nazarean, whom thou persecutest. (9)Now they who were with me saw the
light indeed, and were terrified; but the voice of him that spake to me
heard they not. (10)Then I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord
said to me, Arise, go into Damascus; and there information shall be
given thee of all things which are ordained for thee to do.

(11)Then as I could no longer see through the dazzling brightness of
that light, led by the hand of those who were with me, I came to
Damascus. (12)And one Ananias, a religious man according to the law,
and in high repute with all the Jews dwelling there, (13)came to me,
and standing by me,