¹³ For you have heard about my former way of life^(A) in Judaism:^(B) I intensely persecuted^(C) God’s church and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.^{(D) 15} But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called^(E) me by his grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal his Son^(F) in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone.^{[a] 17} I did not go up to Jerusalem^(G) to those who had become apostles^(H) before me; instead I went to Arabia^(I) and came back to Damascus.^(J)

¹⁸ Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem^(K) to get to know Cephas,^[b](L) and I stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James,^(M) the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I declare in the sight of God: I am not lying in what I write to you.

²¹ Afterward, I went to the regions of Syria^(N) and Cilicia.^(O)