For you have heardof my formermanner of lifein Judaism,howI used to persecutethe churchof Godbeyondmeasureand tried to destroyit;
Saulwas in hearty agreementwith putting him to death.And on that daya greatpersecutionbeganagainstthe churchin Jerusalem,and they were allscatteredthroughoutthe regionsof Judeaand Samaria,exceptthe apostles.
But Saul[began] ravagingthe church,enteringhouseafterhouse,and draggingoff menand women,he would putthem in prison.
Allthosehearinghim continued to be amazed,and were saying,"Is thisnot he who in Jerusalemdestroyedthosewho calledon thisname,and [who] had comeherefor the purpose of bringingthem boundbeforethe chief priests?"
When he cameto Jerusalem,he was tryingto associatewith the disciples;but they were allafraidof him, not believingthat he was a disciple.
Giveno offenseeitherto Jewsorto Greeksorto the churchof God;
For I amthe leastof the apostles,and not fitto be calledan apostle,becauseI persecutedthe churchof God.
as to zeal,a persecutorof the church;as to the righteousnesswhich is in the Law,foundblameless.
even though I was formerlya blasphemerand a persecutorand a violent aggressor.YetI was shown mercybecauseI actedignorantlyin unbelief;
and the graceof our Lordwas more than abundant,with the faithand lovewhich are [found] in ChristJesus.
