4 I hurt the people who followed the Way of Jesus. Some of them were even killed. I arrested men and women and put them in jail.
5 The high priest and the whole council of Jewish elders can tell you that this is true. These leaders gave me letters to the Jewish brothers in Damascus. So I was going there to arrest these people and bring them back to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 “But something happened to me on my way to Damascus. It was about noon when I came near Damascus. Suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed all around me.
7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you doing things against me?’
8 I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The voice said, ‘I am Jesus from Nazareth. I am the One you are trying to hurt.’
9 The men who were with me did not understand the voice. But they saw the light.
10 I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ The Lord answered, ‘Get up and go to Damascus. There you will be told about all the things I have planned for you to do.’