was.

Acts 8:3
But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Acts 9:1, 5, 13
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out threats of murder against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest . . .

Acts 22:4
I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison,

Acts 26:9-11
So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. . . .

1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Galatians 1:13
For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.

Philippians 3:6
as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness under the Law, faultless.

but.

1 Timothy 1:16
But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience, as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

Hosea 2:23
And I will sow her for Myself in the land, and I will have compassion on 'No Compassion.' I will say to those called 'Not My People, ' 'You are My people, ' and they will say, 'You are my God.'"

Romans 5:20, 21
The Law was given so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more, . . .

Romans 11:30, 31
Just as you who formerly disobeyed God have now received mercy through their disobedience, . . .

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

1 Peter 2:10
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

because.

Numbers 15:30
But the person who sins defiantly, whether a native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from his people.

Luke 12:47
That servant who knows his master's will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.

Luke 23:34
Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

John 9:39-41
Then Jesus declared, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind." . . .

Acts 3:17
And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.

Acts 26:9
So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Hebrews 6:4-8
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, . . .

Hebrews 10:26-29
If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, . . .

2 Peter 2:21, 22
It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and turned away from the holy commandment passed on to them. . . .