Acts 9:2-20

2and he asked for letters [of authority] from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any men or women there belonging to the Way [believers, followers of Jesus the Messiah], men and women alike, he could arrest them and bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem.

3As he traveled he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ];

4and he fell to the ground and heard a voice [from heaven] saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting and oppressing Me?”

5And Saul said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,

6now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7The men who were traveling with him [were terrified and] stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

8Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

9And he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.

10Now in Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he answered, “Here I am, Lord.”

11And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul; for he is praying [there],

12and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him, so that he may regain his sight.”

13But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, especially how much suffering and evil he has brought on Your saints (God’s people) at Jerusalem;

14and here [in Damascus] he has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call on Your name [confessing You as Savior].”

15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a [deliberately] chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

16for I will make clear to him how much he must suffer and endure for My name’s sake.”

17So Ananias left and entered the house, and he laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came [to Damascus], has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit [in order to proclaim Christ to both Jews and Gentiles].”

18Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized;

19and he took some food and was strengthened. For several days [afterward] Saul remained with the disciples who were at Damascus.

20And immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This Man is the Son of God [the promised Messiah]!”