⁶ as for zeal,^(A) persecuting the church;^(B) as for righteousness based on the law,^(C) faultless.

¹³ For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism,^(A) how intensely I persecuted the church of God^(B) and tried to destroy it.^{(C) 14} I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous^(D) for the traditions of my fathers.^(E)

³ But Saul^(A) began to destroy the church.^(B) Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

⁹ “I too was convinced^(A) that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose^(B) the name of Jesus of Nazareth.^{(C) 10} And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people^(D) in prison,^(E) and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.^(F)

³ “I am a Jew,^(A) born in Tarsus^(B) of Cilicia,^(C) but brought up in this city. I studied under^(D) Gamaliel^(E) and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors.^(F) I was just as zealous^(G) for God as any of you are today. ⁴ I persecuted^(H) the followers of this Way^(I) to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison,^(J)

²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.^(A)

¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor^(A) and a violent man, I was shown mercy^(B) because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.^(C)

⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,^(A) but that which is through faith in^[a] Christ—the righteousness^(B) that comes from God on the basis of faith.^(C)

⁹ For I am the least of the apostles^(A) and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted^(B) the church of God.^(C)