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.^(A)

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)

¹⁸ Then after three years,^(A) I went up to Jerusalem^(B) to get acquainted with Cephas^[a] and stayed with him fifteen days.

³² In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me.^{(A) 33} But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.^(B)