Then the military commander came near and laid hold on him. He commanded that he be bound with two chains. He asked who he was and what he had done. Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another. The commander could not find out the facts because of the uproar so he commanded him to be brought into the barracks. Paul reached the steps. The violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. read more.
The mob followed closely and shouted: Away with him! And as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, Might I say something to you? He replied: Do you know Greek? Are you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand assassins into the desert? But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city and I request that you allow me to speak to the people. The commander gave permission so Paul stood on the stairs, motioned to the people. When there was silence he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying:

Men, brothers and fathers, hear my defense to you now. They heard him speak in the Hebrew tongue and became quiet. I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up here in Jerusalem as a student of Gamaliel. I received instruction in the Law of our ancestors and was just as zealous for God as are all of you. read more.
I persecuted the people who followed this Way to the point of death. I arrested men and women and threw them into prison. The High Priest and the whole Council can prove that I am telling the truth. I received letters from them written to fellow Jews in Damascus, so I went there to arrest these people and bring them back in chains to Jerusalem to be punished. While I was traveling I came near Damascus about midday. Suddenly a bright light from the sky flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me: 'Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?' Who are you, Lord? I asked. I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute, he said to me. Everyone with me saw the light. They did not hear the voice of the one speaking to me. I asked: What shall I do, Lord? He said: 'Go to Damascus. There you will be told what God wants you to do.' I was blind because of the bright light. So my companions took me by the hand and led me to Damascus. A man named Ananias was in that city. He is a religious man who obeyed our Law and was highly respected by all the Jews living there. He came and stood by me, and said: 'Brother Saul, see again!' At that very moment I saw again and looked at him. He said: 'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will. You are to see his righteous servant, and to hear him speak with his own voice. You will be a witness for him to tell everyone what you have seen and heard. Wait no longer! Get up and be baptized and have your sins washed away by praying to him.' I went back to Jerusalem. Then I have a vision while I prayed in the temple. I saw the Lord. He said to me: 'Hurry and leave Jerusalem because the people here will not accept your witness about me.' I answered, 'Lord they know very well that I went to the synagogues and arrested and beat those who believe in you. When your witness Stephen was put to death, I was there, approving of his murder and taking care of the coats of his murderers.' The Lord said: 'Go! I will send you far away to the people of the nations.'