1Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, approached the high priest2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem3As he was going, it happened that as he drew near Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shone around him4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"5He said, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting."6But rise and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.7The men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.8Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.9For three days he was without sight and neither ate nor drank.10Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord."11The Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying."12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay hands on him so that he might regain his sight.13Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem."14And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.15But the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel."16For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.17So Ananias went and entered the house, and laying his hands on him said, "Saul, brother, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."18Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight; then he rose and was baptized.19And after taking food he was strengthened. He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus.