²⁹ For this ^(A)I toil, ^(B)struggling ^(C)with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

²² But Saul ^(A)increased all the more in strength, and ^(B)confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving ^(C)that Jesus was the Christ.

Saul Escapes from Damascus

^23 (D)When many days had passed, the Jews^[a] plotted to kill him, ²⁴ but their ^(E)plot became known to Saul. ^(F)They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, ²⁵ but his disciples took him by night and ^(G)let him down through an opening in the wall,^[b] lowering him in a basket.

Saul in Jerusalem

²⁶ And ^(H)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. ²⁷ But ^(I)Barnabas took him and ^(J)brought him to the apostles and declared to them ^(K)how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and ^(L)how at Damascus he had ^(M)preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

⁵ I am the vine; ^(A)you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that ^(B)bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.