“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city. I was trained at the feet of Gamaliel in the strict observance of our ancestral law, and I was zealous for God, just as all of you are today.
In context
1“Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense I now make before you.” 2When they heard him speaking to them in the Hebrew language they grew even quieter. And he went on: 3“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city. I was trained at the feet of Gamaliel in the strict observance of our ancestral law, and I was zealous for God, just as all of you are today. 4I persecuted this Way to the death, arresting men and women alike and throwing them into prison, 5as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify. It was from them that I received letters to our brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way there to bring those people back to Jerusalem in chains, to be punished.
