(9)I therefore thought to myself, that I ought to do many hostile things against the name of Jesus the Nazarene. (10)Which I also did in Jerusalem; and many of the saints did I myself shut up in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. (11)And punishing them often, throughout all the synagogues, I constrained them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them also unto foreign cities. (12)Whereupon, as I went to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests, (13)at midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. (14)And we all having fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goads. (15)And I said: Who art thou, Lord? And he said: I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest. (16)But arise, and stand upon thy feet; for I appeared to thee for this purpose, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things which thou sawest, and of the things in which I will appear to thee; (17)delivering thee from the people, and the Gentiles, to whom I send thee, (18)to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may obtain forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among the sanctified, by faith in me. (19)Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision; (20)but to those in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem, and unto all the region of Judaea, and to the Gentiles, I announced that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. (21)For these causes the Jews, seizing me in the temple, attempted to kill me. (22)Having therefore obtained help from God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying nothing except those things which the prophets and Moses said should come; (23)whether the Christ should suffer, whether he, the first of the resurrection from the dead, shall show light to the people and to the Gentiles. (24)And as he thus spoke for himself, Festus said with a loud voice: Paul, thou art mad; much learning makes thee mad. (25)But he said: I am not mad, most noble Festus; but utter words of truth and soberness. (26)For the king knows well concerning these things, to whom also I speak boldly; for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this has not been done in a corner. (27)King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. (28)And Agrippa said to Paul: With little pains[26:28a] thou persuadest[26:28b] me to become a Christian. (29)And Paul said: I could pray God, that with little or much[26:29], not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, may become such as I am, except these bonds.