e of the elders; from whom also I received letters unto
the brethren and went to Damascus, to bring them which were bound unto
Jerusalem for to be punished.

"'And it came to pass that as I made my journey and was come nigh unto
Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light
round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and hearing a voice saying
unto me, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"

"'And I answered, "Who art thou Lord?" And he said unto me, "I am Jesus
of Nazareth, whom thou persecuteth."

"'And they that were with me saw indeed the light and were afraid, but
they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

"'And I said, "What shall I do Lord?" And the Lord said unto me, "Arise
and go unto Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things
which are appointed for thee to do."

"'And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the
hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

"'And one, Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good
report of all the Jews which dwelt there, came unto me and stood and
said unto me, "Brother Saul receive thy sight." And the same hour I
looked up upon him.

"'And he said, "The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou
shouldst know his will and see that Just One, and should hear the voice
of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou
hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized
and wash away thy sins," calling on the name of the Lord.

"'And it came to pass that when I was come again to Jerusalem, even
while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; and saw him saying unto
me, "Make haste and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; for they will not
receive thy testimony concerning me."

"'And I said, "Lord they know that I imprisoned and beat in every
synagogue them that believed in thee; and when the blood of thy martyr
Stephen was shed, I also was standing by and consented unto his death
and kept the raiment of them that slew him."

"'And he said unto me, "Depart; for I will send thee far hence unto the
Gentiles."'

"When I had spoken thus far, the multitude would not hear me further.

"At the castle, the chief captain ordered that I be scourged, when,
hearing the order, I said to the centurion standing by, 'Is it lawful to
scourge a man that is a Roman and uncondemned?' Thereafter no further
indignity was offered me.

"Then the Lord appeared unt