Paul's Conversion and Independence

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for ye did hear of my behaviour once in Judaism, that exceedingly I was persecuting the assembly of God, and wasting it,

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and I was advancing in Judaism above many equals in age in mine own race, being more abundantly zealous of my fathers' deliverances,

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and when God was well pleased--having separated me from the womb of my mother, and having called me through His grace--

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to reveal His Son in me, that I might proclaim him good news among the nations, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood,

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nor did I go up to Jerusalem unto those who were apostles before me, but I went away to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus,

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then, after three years I went up to Jerusalem to enquire about Peter, and remained with him fifteen days,

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and other of the apostles I did not see, except James, the brother of the Lord.

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And the things that I write to you, lo, before God--I lie not;

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then I came to the regions of Syria and of Cilicia,

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and was unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea, that are in Christ,

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and only they were hearing, that `he who is persecuting us then, doth now proclaim good news--the faith that then he was wasting;'

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and they were glorifying God in me.