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

¹⁹ and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples^(A) in Damascus.^{(B) 20} At once he began to preach in the synagogues^(C) that Jesus is the Son of God.^{(D) 21} All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?^(E) And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”^{(F) 22} Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.^(G)