3 "I am a Jew. I was born in Tarsus in Cilicia. But I grew up here in Jerusalem. I was well trained by Gamaliel in the law of our people. I wanted to serve God as much as any of you do today.
4 I hurt the followers of the Way of Jesus. I sent many of them to their death. I arrested men and women. I threw them into prison.
5 The high priest and the whole Council can give witness to this. I even had some official letters they had written to their friends in Damascus. So I went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 "I had almost reached Damascus. About noon a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me.
7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice speak to me. 'Saul! Saul!' it said. 'Why are you opposing me?'
8 " 'Who are you, Lord?' I asked. " 'I am Jesus of Nazareth,' he replied. 'I am the one you are opposing.'
9 "The light was seen by my companions. But they didn't understand the voice of the one speaking to me.