First ReadingGalatians 1:13-24
From the Letter of Paul to the Galatians
13For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion,how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God and ravaged it.14I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen,being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.15But when it was the good pleasure of God,who separated me from my mother’s womband called me through his grace,16to reveal his Son in me,that I might preach him among the Gentiles,I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood,17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to thosewho were apostles before me,but I went away into Arabia.Then I returned to Damascus.
18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter,and stayed with him fifteen days.19But of the other apostles I saw no one except James,the Lord’s brother.20Now about the things which I write to you,behold, before God, I’m not lying.21Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.22I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judeawhich were in Christ,23but they only heard,“He who once persecuted us now preaches the faiththat he once tried to destroy.”24So they glorified God in me.