26 ¹² 'On one such occasion I was travelling to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests; 26 ¹³ and as I was on my way. Your Majesty, in the middle of the day I saw a light from the sky, more brilliant than the sun, shining all around me and my travelling-companions. 26 ¹⁴ We all fell to the ground, and then I heard a voice saying to me in the Jewish language, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you, this kicking against the goad." 26 ¹⁵ I said, "Tell me, Lord, who you are"; and the Lord replied, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 26 ¹⁶ But now, rise to your feet and stand upright. I have appeared to you for a purpose: to appoint you my servant and witness, to testify both to what you have seen and to what you shall yet see of me. 26 ¹⁷ I will rescue you from this people and from the Gentiles to whom I am sending you. 26 ¹⁸ I send you to open their eyes and turn them from is darkness to light, from the dominion of Satan to God, so that, by trust in me, they may obtain forgiveness of sins, and a place with those whom God has made his own."