4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women in jail,
5 as both the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. After I received letters from them to the brothers, I traveled to Damascus to bring those who were prisoners there to be punished in Jerusalem.
6 “As I was traveling and near Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me.
7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? ’
8 “I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord? ’“He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the One you are persecuting! ’
9 Now those who were with me saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of the One who was speaking to me.
10 “Then I said, ‘What should I do, Lord? ’“And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything that is assigned for you to do.’