Book of Common Prayer

⁴ though myself having confidence even in the flesh!

If Anyone Can Put Confidence In The Flesh, I More

If any other person thinks that he may put-confidence in the flesh, I more— ⁵ in circumcision the eighth day; from the nation of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew from Hebrews; in relation to the Law— a Pharisee; ⁶ in relation to zeal— persecuting the church; in relation to the righteousness in the Law— having been blameless^[a].

But I Count All Such Things As Loss That I May Know Christ And His Power

⁷ But what things were gains to me, these I have regarded to be a loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ But more than that, I am indeed regarding all things to be a loss for the sake of the surpassing greatness of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for the sake of Whom I suffered-loss-of all things and am regarding them as garbage in order that I might gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the Law but the one through faith^[b] in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith— ¹⁰ that I might know Him and the power of His resurrection and the partnership^[c] of His sufferings, being conformed to His death ¹¹ if somehow^[d] I might attain to [the power of] the resurrection-out from the dead.

While Saul Is Going To Damascus To Persecute Believers, Jesus Appears To Him

9 Now Saul, still breathing threat and murder against the disciples of the Lord, having gone to the high priest, ² asked-for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus so that if he found any being of the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ And during the proceeding, it came about that he was drawing-near to Damascus. And suddenly a light from heaven flashed-around him. ⁴ And having fallen on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are You, sir^[a]?” And the One said, “I am Jesus Whom you are persecuting. ⁶ But arise and enter into the city, and it will be told you what thing you must do”. ⁷ And the men traveling-with him were standing speechless^[b], hearing the voice^[c] but seeing no one. ⁸ And Saul was raised^[d] from the ground. And his eyes having been opened, he was seeing nothing. And hand-leading him, they brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And he was not seeing for three days. And he did not eat nor drink.

God Tells Ananias To Go Give Saul His Sight, For He Is God’s Chosen Instrument

¹⁰ Now a certain disciple was in Damascus— Ananias by name. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias”. And the one said, “Behold, I am here, Lord”. ¹¹ And the Lord said to him, “Having arisen, go on the lane being called ‘Straight’, and seek one-from-Tarsus, Saul by name, in the house of Judas. For behold— he is praying. ¹² And he saw a man in a vision, Ananias by name, having come in and laid hands on him so that he might see-again”. ¹³ And Ananias responded, “Lord, I heard about this man from many— how many bad things he did to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all the ones calling-upon Your name”. ¹⁵ And the Lord said to him, “Go, because this one is a chosen instrument^[e] for Me— that he might carry My name before both Gentiles and kings, and sons of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how-many things he must suffer for My name”. ¹⁷ And Ananias departed, and entered into the house. And having laid his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me forth— Jesus, the One having appeared to you on the road on which you were coming— so that you may see-again and be filled with the Holy Spirit”. ¹⁸ And immediately something like scales^[f] fell from his eyes. And he saw-again^[g], and having arisen, was baptized. ¹⁹ And having taken food, he strengthened.

Saul Begins Proclaiming Christ In Damascus. He Escapes a Plot To Kill Him

Now he came-to-be with the disciples in Damascus for some days. ²⁰ And immediately he was proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues— that this One is the Son of God. ²¹ And all the ones hearing were astonished, and were saying, “Is not this the one having destroyed in Jerusalem the ones calling-upon this name? And he had come here for this— that he might bring them bound to the chief priests!” ²² And Saul was becoming more strong. And he was confounding^[h] the Jews dwelling in Damascus, proving that this One is the Christ.