1 But meanwhile Saul was making violent threats against the disciples of the Lord, wanting to kill them. He went to the high priest 2 and asked for letters of authorization to take with him to the synagogues in Damascus, giving him permission to arrest any believers in the Way9:2. "Believers in the Way," one early term referring to followers of Jesus. that he found, men or women, and bring them back to Jerusalem as prisoners.
3 As Saul approached Damascus, suddenly he was surrounded by a light that blazed down from heaven. 4 He fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus, the one you’re persecuting," he replied. 6 "Get up, go on into the city, and you’ll be told what to do."
7 The men who were traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice speaking, but they didn’t see anyone. 8 Saul got to his feet, and when he opened his eyes, he couldn’t see anything. His companions took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. 9 For three days he couldn’t see, and he didn’t eat or drink anything.