Saul encounters the risen Jesus

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still spewing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest, ² seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus. If he found persons who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, these letters would authorize him to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³ During the journey, as he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven encircled him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him, “Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?”

⁵ Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?”

“I am Jesus, whom you are harassing,” came the reply. ⁶ “Now get up and enter the city. You will be told what you must do.”

⁷ Those traveling with him stood there speechless; they heard the voice but saw no one. ⁸ After they picked Saul up from the ground, he opened his eyes but he couldn’t see. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹ For three days he was blind and neither ate nor drank anything.

¹⁰ In Damascus there was a certain disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

He answered, “Yes, Lord.”

¹⁷ Ananias went to the house. He placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord sent me—Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you were coming here. He sent me so that you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Instantly, flakes fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.