The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus, c. A.D. 40
--from The New Testament (London, 1611)
. . . 12for neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, who that beyond
measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14and profited in the Jews' religion above
many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my
fathers. 15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by
his grace, 16to reveal his Son in me that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I
conferred not with flesh and blood: . . .
5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6After that of above five hundred brethren at
once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7After that, he
was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born
out of due time. 9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle,
because I persecuted the church of God.
1It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether
out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3And I
knew such a man, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell:
God knoweth;) 4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it
is not lawful for a man to utter. 5Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in
mine infirmities. 6For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth:
but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he
heareth of me. . . .
1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went
unto the high priest, 2and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found
any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light
from heaven: 4and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why
persecutest thou me? 5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom
thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6And the trembling and
astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go
into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7And the men which journeyed with him
stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8And Saul arose from the earth; and when
his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into
Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
3I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city
[Jerusalem] at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the
fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. 4And I persecuted this way unto the
death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5As also the high priest doth
bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the
brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be
punished. 6And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus
about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7And I fell unto the
ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 8And I
answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou
persecutest. 9And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not
the voice of him that spake to me. 10And I said, What shall I do, Lord: And the Lord said unto
me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed
for thee to do. 11And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of
them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
10Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having
received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice
against them. 11And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme;
and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
12Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13at
midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining
round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14And when we were all fallen to earth, I
heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest
thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he
said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared
unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou
hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17delivering thee from the
people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18to open their eyes, and to turn them
from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness
of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.