₁In the meantime Saul kept up his violent threats of murder against the followers of the Lord. He went to the High Priest ₂and asked for letters of introduction to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he should find there any followers of the Way of the Lord, he would be able to arrest them, both men and women, and bring them back to Jerusalem.

₃As Saul was coming near the city of Damascus, suddenly a light from the sky flashed round him. ₄He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?”

₅“Who are you, Lord?” he asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you persecute,” the voice said. ₆“But get up and go into the city, where you will be told what you must do.”

₇The men who were travelling with Saul had stopped, not saying a word; they heard the voice but could not see anyone. ₈Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes, but could not see a thing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. ₉For three days he was not able to see, and during that time he did not eat or drink anything.

₁₀There was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. He had a vision, in which the Lord said to him, “Ananias!”

“Here I am, Lord,” he answered.

₁₁The Lord said to him, “Get ready and go to Straight Street, and at the house of Judas ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying, ₁₂and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him so that he might see again.”

₁₃Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and about all the terrible things he has done to your people in Jerusalem. ₁₄And he has come to Damascus with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who worship you.”

₁₅The Lord said to him, “Go, because I have chosen him to serve me, to make my name known to Gentiles and kings and to the people of Israel. ₁₆And I myself will show him all that he must suffer for my sake.”

₁₇So Ananias went, entered the house where Saul was, and placed his hands on him. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord has sent me — Jesus himself, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here. He sent me so that you might see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ₁₈At once something like fish scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he was able to see again. He stood up and was baptized; ₁₉and after he had eaten, his strength came back.

Saul stayed for a few days with the believers in Damascus. ₂₀He went straight to the synagogues and began to preach that Jesus was the Son of God.