² and requested letters^(A) from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way,^(B) he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

⁸ We don’t want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction that took place in Asia.^(A) We were completely overwhelmed—beyond our strength^(B)—so that we even despaired^(C) of life itself.