Galatians 1:13-23

13For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.

14And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace,

16to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,

17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.

19But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

20(Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)

21Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

22And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ.

23But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.”