14. Now he has come here to Damascus. The leading priests have given him the power to arrest all people who trust in you.”
15. But the Lord Jesus said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen Saul for an important work. I want him to tell other nations, their rulers, and the people of Israel about me.
16. I will show him all that he must suffer for me.”
17. So Ananias left and went to the house of Judas. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord Jesus sent me. He is the one you saw on the road when you came here. He sent me so that you can see again and also be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18. Immediately, something that looked like fish scales fell off Saul’s eyes. He was able to see! Then he got up and was baptized.
19. After he ate, he began to feel strong again. Saul stayed with the followers of Jesus in Damascus for a few days.
20. Soon he began to go to the synagogues and tell people about Jesus. He told the people, “Jesus is the Son of God!”
21. All the people who heard Saul were amazed. They said, “This is the same man who was in Jerusalem trying to destroy the people who trust in Jesus! And that’s why he has come here—to arrest the followers of Jesus and take them back to the leading priests.”
22. But Saul became more and more powerful in proving that Jesus is the Messiah. His proofs were so strong that the Jews who lived in Damascus could not argue with him.
23. After many days, some Jews made plans to kill Saul.
24. They were watching the city gates day and night. They wanted to kill Saul, but he learned about their plan.
25. One night some followers that Saul had taught helped him leave the city. They put him in a basket and lowered it down through a hole in the city wall.
26. Then Saul went to Jerusalem. He tried to join the group of followers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe that he was really a follower of Jesus.
27. But Barnabas accepted Saul and took him to the apostles. He told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. Then he told them how boldly Saul had spoken for the Lord in Damascus.
28. And so Saul stayed with the followers and went all around Jerusalem speaking boldly for the Lord.