Acts 22:4-16

4I caused great trouble to the disciples of Jesus. I even wanted to kill them. I took hold of them and I put them in prison. I did that to both men and women.

5The most important priest and all the group of Jewish leaders can tell you that this is true. They gave me letters for the Jewish leaders in Damascus. So I travelled to Damascus to take hold of the believers in that city. I wanted to tie them up and bring them back to Jerusalem. Then the leaders here could punish them.’

6Paul continued to say, ‘As I was travelling, I came near to Damascus. About midday, a bright light from the sky suddenly shone round me.

7I fell down to the ground. Then I heard a voice that said to me, “Saul, Saul, why do you fight against me?”

8“Lord, who are you?” I asked. He said to me, “I am Jesus from Nazareth. And you are fighting against me.”

9The men who travelled with me saw the light. But they did not understand the voice that spoke to me.

10I asked, “Lord, what must I do?” He said to me, “Get up now and go into Damascus. When you arrive in the city, someone will come to you. He will tell you what God wants you to do.”

11The bright light hurt my eyes so that I could not see. So the men who were with me held my hand. They led me into Damascus.

12In Damascus, there was a man called Ananias. He worshipped God and he obeyed our Law. All the Jews in Damascus said good things about him.

13Ananias came to see me. He stood near to me and he said, “Brother Saul, see again!” Then immediately I could see again. I could look at him.

14Then Ananias said to me, “The God that we worship and our ancestors worshipped has chosen you. He will tell you what he wants you to do. God has let you see his special servant, who is completely good. You have heard this servant's message to you.

15You will tell people everywhere about the things that you have seen and heard. That is what God wants you to do.

16So now you do not need to wait any longer. Stand up and I will baptize you. Believe in the Lord Jesus so that God will forgive you for your sins.”