² When they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even quieter.^{(A) 3} He^(B) continued, “I am a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city^[a] at the feet of Gamaliel^(C) and educated according to the strict view of our patriarchal law. Being zealous for God, just as all of you are today,^{(D) 4} I persecuted this Way^(E) to the death, binding and putting both men and women in jail,^{(F) 5} as both the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. After I received letters from them to the brothers, I traveled to Damascus to bring those who were prisoners there to be punished in Jerusalem.^(G)

⁹ In fact, I myself supposed it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus the Nazarene.^{(A) 10} I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.^{(B) 11} In all the synagogues I often tried to make them blaspheme by punishing them.^(C) I even pursued them to foreign cities since I was greatly enraged at them.

⁹ For I am the least of the apostles,^(A) unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted^(B) the church of God.

¹³ For you have heard about my former way of life^(A) in Judaism:^(B) I persecuted^(C) God’s church to an extreme degree and tried to destroy it.

¹³ one who was formerly a blasphemer,^(A) a persecutor,^(B) and an arrogant man.^(C) But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief.

¹² In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.^(A)