⁸ For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle^(A) to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle^(B) to the Gentiles.

²⁰ At once he began to preach in the synagogues^(A) that Jesus is the Son of God.^{(B) 21} All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?^(C) And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”^{(D) 22} Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.^(E)

²³ After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,^{(F) 24} but Saul learned of their plan.^(G) Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. ²⁵ But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.^(H)

²⁶ When he came to Jerusalem,^(I) he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas^(J) took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him,^(K) and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.^{(L) 28} So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. ²⁹ He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,^[a](M) but they tried to kill him.^{(N) 30} When the believers^(O) learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea^(P) and sent him off to Tarsus.^(Q)

³¹ Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria^(R) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.^(S)

Paul Called by God

¹¹ I want you to know, brothers and sisters,^(A) that the gospel I preached^(B) is not of human origin. ¹² I did not receive it from any man,^(C) nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation^(D) from Jesus Christ.^(E)

¹³ For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism,^(F) how intensely I persecuted the church of God^(G) and tried to destroy it.^{(H) 14} I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous^(I) for the traditions of my fathers.^{(J) 15} But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb^(K) and called me^(L) by his grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles,^(M) my immediate response was not to consult any human being.^{(N) 17} I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.^(O)

¹⁸ Then after three years,^(P) I went up to Jerusalem^(Q) to get acquainted with Cephas^[a] and stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ I saw none of the other apostles—only James,^(R) the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I assure you before God^(S) that what I am writing you is no lie.^(T)

²¹ Then I went to Syria^(U) and Cilicia.^{(V) 22} I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea^(W) that are in Christ.^{(X) 23} They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith^(Y) he once tried to destroy.”^{(Z) 24} And they praised God^(AA) because of me.

Paul Boasts About His Sufferings

¹⁶ I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool.^(A) But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. ¹⁷ In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would,^(B) but as a fool.^{(C) 18} Since many are boasting in the way the world does,^(D) I too will boast.^{(E) 19} You gladly put up with^(F) fools since you are so wise!^{(G) 20} In fact, you even put up with^(H) anyone who enslaves you^(I) or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. ²¹ To my shame I admit that we were too weak^(J) for that!

Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.^{(K) 22} Are they Hebrews? So am I.^(L) Are they Israelites? So am I.^(M) Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.^{(N) 23} Are they servants of Christ?^(O) (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder,^(P) been in prison more frequently,^(Q) been flogged more severely,^(R) and been exposed to death again and again.^{(S) 24} Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes^(T) minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods,^(U) once I was pelted with stones,^(V) three times I was shipwrecked,^(W) I spent a night and a day in the open sea, ²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews,^(X) in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city,^(Y) in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.^{(Z) 27} I have labored and toiled^(AA) and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food;^(AB) I have been cold and naked. ²⁸ Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.^{(AC) 29} Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?^(AD) Who is led into sin,^(AE) and I do not inwardly burn?

³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast^(AF) of the things that show my weakness.^{(AG) 31} The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever,^(AH) knows^(AI) that I am not lying. ³² In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me.^{(AJ) 33} But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.^(AK)