Galatians 1:15-24

15But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him

16to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being.

17Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.

18Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days.

19The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother.

20I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.

21After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia.

22And still the churches in Christ that are in Judea didn’t know me personally.

23All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!”

24And they praised God because of me.