The Conversion of Saul^(A)

9 Saul, still breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, ² and requested letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any there of the Way, either men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ As he went he drew near Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

⁵ He said, “Who are You, Lord?”

The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” ⁶ Trembling and astonished, he said, “Lord, what will You have me do?” The Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷ The men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one. ⁸ Saul rose up from the ground. And when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

¹⁰ A disciple named Ananias was in Damascus. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.”

He said, “Here I am, Lord.”

¹¹ The Lord said to him, “Rise and go to Straight Street, and inquire at Judas’ house for someone named Saul of Tarsus, for he is praying, ¹² and has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he may see again.”

¹³ Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how many evil things he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go your way. For this man is a chosen vessel of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the sons of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

¹⁷ Then Ananias went his way and entered the house. Putting his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you came, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again. And he rose up and was baptized. ¹⁹ When he had eaten, he was strengthened.

Saul Preaches in Damascus

For several days Saul was with the disciples in Damascus.

Paul Tells of His Conversion^(A)

¹² “So I went to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests. ¹³ At midday, O King, I saw along the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. ¹⁴ When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

¹⁵ “I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’

“He said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. ¹⁶ But rise and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness both of what you have seen and of what I will yet reveal to you. ¹⁷ I will deliver you from your people and from the Gentiles to whom I now send you, ¹⁸ to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’