28
1 When
we had escaped,
then they
learned that the
island was called
Malta.
2 The natives
showed us uncommon
kindness; for
they kindled a
fire and received
us all, because
of the present
rain and because
of the cold.
3 But
when Paul had
gathered a bundle
of sticks and
laid them on
the fire, a
viper came out
because of the
heat and fastened
on his hand.
4 When
the natives saw
the creature
hanging from his
hand, they said
to one another, “No
doubt this man
is a murderer,
whom, though he
has escaped from
the sea, yet
Justice has not
allowed to live.”
5 However
he shook off the
creature into the
fire, and wasn’t
harmed.
6 But
they expected that
he would have
swollen or fallen
down dead suddenly,
but when they
watched for a
long time and
saw nothing bad
happen to him,
they changed their
minds and said
that he was
a god.
7 Now
in the
neighborhood of
that place were
lands belonging to
the chief man
of the island,
named Publius,
who received us
and courteously
entertained us for
three days.
8 The
father of Publius
lay sick of
fever and
dysentery. Paul
entered in to
him, prayed, and
laying his hands
on him, healed
him.
9 Then
when this was
done, the rest
also who
had diseases in
the island came
and were cured.
10 They
also honored us
with many honors;
and when we
sailed, they put
on board the
things that we
needed.
11 After
three months,
we set sail in a
ship of Alexandria
which had wintered
in the island,
whose figurehead
was “The Twin
Brothers.”
12 Touching at
Syracuse, we
stayed there three
days.
13 From
there we circled
around and arrived
at Rhegium. After
one day, a
south wind sprang
up, and on
the second day
we came to
Puteoli,
14 where
we found brothers,
and were entreated
to stay with
them for seven
days. So we
came to Rome.
15 From
there the brothers,
when they heard of
us, came to
meet us as
far as The
Market of Appius
and The Three
Taverns. When Paul
saw them, he
thanked God and
took courage.
16 When
we entered into
Rome, the centurion delivered
the prisoners to
the captain of the
guard, but Paul
was allowed to
stay by himself
with the soldier
who guarded him.
17 After
three days Paul
called together
those who were
the leaders of
the Jews. When
they had come
together, he said
to them, “I,
brothers, though I
had done nothing
against the people
or the customs
of our fathers,
still was delivered
prisoner from
Jerusalem into the
hands of the
Romans,
18 who,
when they
had examined me, desired
to set me free,
because there was
no cause of
death in me.
19 But
when the Jews spoke
against it, I
was constrained to
appeal to Caesar,
not that I
had anything about
which to accuse
my nation.
20 For
this cause
therefore I asked
to see you
and to speak
with you. For
because of the
hope of Israel
I am bound with
this chain.”
21 They
said to him, “We
neither received
letters from Judea
concerning you,
nor did any
of the brothers
come here
and report or
speak any evil
of you.
22 But
we desire to hear
from you what
you think. For,
as concerning
this sect, it is
known to us
that everywhere it
is spoken against.”
23 When
they had appointed
him a day,
many people came
to him at
his lodging. He
explained to them,
testifying about
God’s Kingdom, and
persuading them
concerning Jesus,
both from the
law of Moses
and from the
prophets, from
morning until
evening.
24 Some
believed the
things which were
spoken, and
some disbelieved.
25 When
they didn’t agree
among themselves,
they departed after
Paul had spoken
one message: “The
Holy Spirit spoke
rightly through
Isaiah the prophet
to our fathers,
26 saying,
‘Go to this
people and say,
in hearing, you
will hear,
but will in
no way understand.
In seeing, you
will see,
but will in
no way perceive.
27 For
this people’s
heart has grown callous.
Their ears are
dull of hearing.
Their eyes they
have closed.
Lest they should
see with their
eyes,
hear with their
ears,
understand with
their heart,
and would turn
again,
then I would
heal them.’
28 “Be
it known therefore
to you that
the salvation of
God is sent
to the nations,
and they
will listen.”
29 When he had said these words,
the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.
30 Paul
stayed two whole
years in his
own rented house
and received all
who were coming to
him,
31 preaching
God’s Kingdom and
teaching the
things concerning
the Lord Jesus
Christ with all
boldness, without hindrance.