15. But even before I was born, God had chosen me. He was kind and had decided
16. to show me his Son, so that I would announce his message to the Gentiles. I didn't talk this over with anyone.
17. I didn't say a word, not even to the men in Jerusalem who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went at once to Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.
18. Three years later I went to visit Peter in Jerusalem and stayed with him for fifteen days.
19. The only other apostle I saw was James, the Lord's brother.
20. And in the presence of God I swear I am telling the truth.
21. Later, I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
22. But no one who belonged to Christ's churches in Judea had ever seen me in person.
23. They had only heard that the one who had been cruel to them was now preaching the message that he had once tried to destroy.
24. And because of me, they praised God.