And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,

Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;