ix. 1. And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,--and _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.--And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from _heaven_:--and he fell to the earth, and _heard a voice_ saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?--And 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.--And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.--And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, _hearing a voice_ but _seeing no man_.--And 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.--And he was _three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink_. II. PAUL'S supposed FIRST OR UNSTUDIED ACCOUNT.--_As per_ ACTS xxii. 3-11. xxii. 3. I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city 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.--And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.--As 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.--And 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.--And I fell unto the ground, and _heard a voice_ saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?--And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou persecutest.--And they that were with me _saw indeed the light_, and were afraid; but _they heard not_ the voice of him that spake to me.--And 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.--And 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. III. PAUL'S supposed ORATORICAL OR STUDIED ACCOUNT.--_As per_ ACTS xxvi. 9-20.