44:026:005 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 44:026:006 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God, unto our fathers: 44:026:007 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. 44:026:008 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 44:026:009 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 44:026:010 Which 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. 44:026:011 And 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. 44:026:012 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 44:026:013 At 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. 44:026:014 And when we were all fallen to the 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. 44:026:015 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 44:026:016 But 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; 44:026:017 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 44:026:018 To 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. 44:026:019 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 44:026:020 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 44:026:021 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.