Acts 28

1 And after being saved, then they learned that the island was called Malta.

Our lives having been thus preserved, we discovered that the island was called Malta.

2 And the foreigners presented uncommon kindness to us, for, having kindled a fire, they received us all because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

The strange-speaking natives showed us remarkable kindness, for they lighted a fire and made us all welcome because of the pelting rain and the cold.

3 And Paul having gathered a quantity of sticks, and having placed them on the fire, a viper having come out from the heat, it fastened on his hand.

Now, when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and had thrown them on the fire, a viper, driven by the heat, came out and fastened itself on his hand.

4 And when the foreigners saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to each other, Certainly this man is a murderer, whom, though saved from the sea, Justice did not allow to live.

When the natives saw the creature hanging to his hand, they said to one another, "Beyond doubt this man is a murderer, for, though saved from the sea, unerring Justice does not permit him to live."

5 Indeed therefore having shaken off the creature into the fire, he experienced nothing harmful.

He, however, shook the reptile off into the fire and was unhurt.

6 But they expected he was going to swell up, or suddenly fall down dead, but when they were long expecting, and seeing nothing amiss happening to him, thinking differently, they declared him to be a god.

They expected him soon to swell with inflammation or suddenly fall down dead; but, after waiting a long time and seeing no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

7 Now among the things around that place were fields of the chief of the island, named Publius, who, having received us kindly, lodged us three days.

Now in the same part of the island there were estates belonging to the Governor, whose name was Publius. He welcomed us to his house, and for three days generously made us his guests.

8 And it came about for the father of Publius to be laid down, gripped by fever and dysentery, to whom Paul, having entered in, and having prayed, having laid his hands on him, healed him.

It happened, however, that his father was lying ill of dysentery aggravated by attacks of fever; so Paul went to see him, and, after praying, laid his hands on him and cured him.

9 Therefore when this happened, the others also who had infirmities on the island came and were healed,

After this, all the other sick people in the island came and were cured.

10 who also honored us with many honorariums. And while putting out to sea, they furnished the things for our necessities.

They also loaded us with honours, and when at last we sailed they put supplies on board for us.

11 And after three months we set out in a ship that wintered at the island, an Alexandrian with The Twin Brothers emblem.

Three months passed before we set sail in an Alexandrian vessel, called the 'Twin Brothers,' which had wintered at the island.

12 And after being brought down to Syracuse, we remained there three days,

At Syracuse we put in and stayed for two days.

13 from where having made a circuit, we arrived at Rhegium. And after one day, wind from the south having developed, we came a second day to Puteoli,

From there we came round and reached Rhegium; and a day later, a south wind sprang up which brought us by the evening of the next day to Puteoli.

14 where, having found brothers, we were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.

Here we found brethren, who invited us to remain with them for a week; and so we reached Rome.

15 And from there the brothers, who heard these things about us, came for a meeting with us as far as Appius Forum and The Three Taverns, whom, when Paul saw, having expressed thanks to God, he took courage.

Meanwhile the brethren there, hearing of our movements, came as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Huts to meet us; and when Paul saw them he thanked God and felt encouraged.

16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the commandant, but Paul was allowed to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

Upon our arrival in Rome, Paul received permission to live by himself, guarded by a soldier.

17 And it came to pass after three days, for Paul to call together those who were the principle men of the Jews. And when they came together, he said to them, Men, brothers, I, having done nothing against the people, or the paternal customs, I was delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,

After one complete day he invited the leading men among the Jews to meet him; and, when they were come together, he said to them, "As for me, brethren, although I had done nothing prejudicial to our people or contrary to the customs of our forefathers, I was handed over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the power of the Romans.

18 who, after examining me, wanted to release me, because there was not one cause of death in me.

They, after they had sharply questioned me, were willing to set me at liberty, because they found no offence in me for which I deserve to die.

19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal Caesar, not as having anything to accuse my nation.

But, at last, the opposition of the Jews compelled me to appeal to Caesar; not however that I had any charge to bring against my nation.

20 Because of this reason therefore I summoned you to see and to speak with me, for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

For these reasons, then, I have invited you here, that I might see you and speak to you; for it is for the sake of Him who is the hope of Israel that this chain hangs upon me."

21 And they said to him, We neither received letters from Judea about thee, nor did any of the brothers who came report or speak anything bad about thee.

"For our part," they replied, "we have not received any letters from Judaea about you, nor have any of our countrymen come here and reported or stated anything to your disadvantage.

22 But we think it worthy to hear from thee what thou think. For indeed about this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.

But we should be glad to hear from you what it is that you believe; for as for this sect all we know is that it is everywhere spoken against."

23 And having appointed a day for him, more came to him into his lodging, to whom he expounded, solemnly testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them of the things about Jesus, both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning until evening.

So they arranged a day with him and came to him in considerable numbers at the house of the friends who were entertaining him. And then, with solemn earnestness, he explained to them the subject of the Kingdom of God, endeavouring from morning till evening to convince them about Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.

24 And some were convinced by the things that were spoken, and some disbelieved.

Some were convinced; others refused to believe.

25 And being discord among each other, they departed after Paul spoke one thing, saying, Well spoke the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,

Unable to agree among themselves, they at last left him, but not before Paul had spoken a parting word to them, saying, "Right well did the Holy Spirit say to your forefathers through the Prophet Isaiah:

26 saying, Go thou to this people, and say, Hearing ye will hear, and will, no, not understand, and seeing ye will see, and will, no, not perceive.

"'Go to this people and tell them, you will hear and hear, and by no means understand; and will look and look, and by no means see.

27 For this people's heart was made fat, and they hear heavily with the ears. And they shut their eyes, lest they may perceive with the eyes, and hear with the ears, and understand with the heart, and should turn, and I would heal them.

For this people's mind has grown callous, their hearing has become dull, and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes, or hearing with their ears, or understanding with their minds, and turning back, so that I might cure them.'

28 Be it known to you therefore, that the salvation of God was sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear.

"Be fully assured, therefore, that this salvation--God's salvation--has now been sent to the Gentiles, and that they, at any rate, will give heed."

29 And when he said these things, the Jews departed, having much disputing among themselves.

30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired lodging. And he received all who came in to him,

After this Paul lived for fully two years in a hired house of his own, receiving all who came to see him.

31 preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

He announced the coming of the Kingdom of God, and taught concerning the Lord Jesus Christ without let or hindrance.