Saul in Jerusalem

²⁶ And ^(A)when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.

²⁰ but declared first ^(A)to those in Damascus, ^(B)then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also ^(C)to the Gentiles, that they should ^(D)repent and ^(E)turn to God, performing deeds ^(F)in keeping with their repentance.

¹⁷ nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

¹⁸ Then ^(A)after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I saw none of the other apostles except James ^(B)the Lord's brother.

^17 (A)“When I had returned to Jerusalem and ^(B)was praying in the temple, I fell into ^(C)a trance ¹⁸ and saw him saying to me, ^(D)‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ ¹⁹ And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another ^(E)I imprisoned and ^(F)beat those who believed in you. ²⁰ And when the blood of Stephen ^(G)your witness was being shed, ^(H)I myself was standing by and ^(I)approving and ^(J)watching over the garments of those who killed him.’

¹⁹ and ^(A)taking food, he was strengthened.

Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues

For ^(B)some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

^4 (A)Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who ^(B)slipped in to spy out ^(C)our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, ^(D)so that they might bring us into slavery—

The Believers Pray for Boldness

²³ When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

¹⁷ Beware of men, for ^(A)they will deliver you over to courts and flog you ^(B)in their synagogues, ^18 (C)and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, ^(D)to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. ^19 (E)When ^(F)they deliver you over, ^(G)do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for ^(H)what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.

¹⁰ And then many will fall away^[a] and ^(A)betray one another and hate one another.