⁵ Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing^(A) above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. ⁶ Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands^(B) and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

Saul’s Conversion^(A)

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.^(B) He went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,^(C) so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,^(D) whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³ As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.^{(E) 4} He fell to the ground and heard a voice^(F) say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”^(G)

¹³ “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people^(A) in Jerusalem.^{(B) 14} And he has come here with authority from the chief priests^(C) to arrest all who call on your name.”^(D)

¹⁵ But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument^(E) to proclaim my name to the Gentiles^(F) and their kings^(G) and to the people of Israel. ¹⁶ I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”^(H)

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives^(A)

³⁹ Jesus went out as usual^(B) to the Mount of Olives,^(C) and his disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”^{(D) 41} He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down^(E) and prayed, ⁴² “Father, if you are willing, take this cup^(F) from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”^{(G) 43} An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.^{(H) 44} And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.^[a]