²³ But they were ^(A)hearing only, “He who formerly ^(B)persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.”

^8 (A)Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

⁹ For I am ^(B)the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because ^(C)I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But ^(D)by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, ^(E)yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

¹³ Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, ^(A)how much ^[a]harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.

¹³ although ^(A)I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an ^[a]insolent man; but I obtained mercy because ^(B)I did it ignorantly in unbelief. ^14 (C)And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, ^(D)with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. ^15 (E)This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that ^(F)Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. ¹⁶ However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

Saul Preaches Christ

²⁰ Immediately he preached ^[a]the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

Saul at Jerusalem

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

⁷ Then ^(A)the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many ^(B)of the priests were obedient to the faith.