4. I persecuted this Way to the death, arresting and imprisoning both men and women,
5. as even the high priest and the council of elders bear witness of me. From them I received letters to the brothers in Damascus, where I went to take even those who were there and lead them in chains to Jerusalem to be punished.
6. “As I journeyed and came near Damascus, about noon suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me.
7. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’
8. “I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’“He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’