³ On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.^{(A) 4} He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”^{(B) 5} He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.^{(C) 6} Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.”^{(D) 7} The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one.^{(E) 8} Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing;^[a] so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus.^{(F) 9} For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank.

⁴ I persecuted this Way to death, binding both men and women and delivering them to prison.^{(A) 5} Even the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify on my behalf. For from them I even received letters to the brothers and set out for Damascus to bring back to Jerusalem in chains for punishment those there as well.

⁶ “On that journey as I drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from the sky suddenly shone around me.^{(B) 7} I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’^{(C) 8} I replied, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting.’^{(D) 9} My companions saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who spoke to me.^(E)

^13 (A)At midday, along the way, O king, I saw a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my traveling companions.^{(B) 14} We all fell to the ground and I heard a voice saying to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?^(C) It is hard for you to kick against the goad.’^{[a] 15} And I said, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.^(D)