11. And in every synagogue, frequently while punishing them, I compelled them to blaspheme. And being all the more maddened against them, I persecuted them, even to foreign cities.
12. Thereafter, as I was going to Damascus, with authority and permission from the high priest,
13. at midday, O king, I and those who were also with me, saw along the way a light from heaven shining around me with a splendor greater than that of the sun.
14. And when we had all fallen down to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language: 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad.'
15. Then I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
16. But rise up and stand on your feet. For I appeared to you for this reason: so that I may establish you as a minister and a witness concerning the things that you have seen, and concerning the things that I will show to you:
17. rescuing you from the people and the nations to which I am now sending you,
18. in order to open their eyes, so that they may be converted from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive the remission of sins and a place among the saints, through the faith that is in me.'
19. From then on, O king Agrippa, I was not unbelieving to the heavenly vision.