Acts 28
1 Once we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta.
And when we had escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita. But the barbarians shewed us no small courtesy.
2 The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire and welcomed all of us because it was raining and cold.
For kindling a fire, they refreshed us all, because of the present rain, and of the cold.
3 Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand.
And when Paul had gathered together a bundle of sticks, and had laid them on the fire, a viper coming out of the heat, fastened on his hand.
4 When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging on his hand, they said one to another: Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, who though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance doth not suffer him to live.
5 But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.
And he indeed shaking off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm.
6 The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
But they supposed that he would begin to swell up, and that he would suddenly fall down and die. But expecting long, and seeing that there came no harm to him, changing their minds, they said, that he was a god.
7 Nearby stood an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
Now in these places were possessions of the chief man of the island, named Publius, who receiving us, for three days entertained us courteously.
8 The father of Publius was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after praying and placing his hands on him, he healed the man.
And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever, and of a bloody flux. To whom Paul entered in; and when he had prayed, and laid his hands on him, he healed him.
9 After this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured as well.
Which being done, all that had diseases in the island, came and were healed:
10 The islanders honored us in many ways and supplied our needs when we were ready to sail.
Who also honoured us with many honours, and when we were to set sail, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
11 After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered in the island. It had the Twin Brothers as a figurehead.
And after three months, we sailed in a ship of Alexandria, that had wintered in the island, whose sign was the Castors.
12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.
And when we were come to Syracusa, we tarried there three days.
13 From there we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day, a south wind came up, and on the second day we arrived at Puteoli.
From thence, compassing by the shore, we came to Rhegium: and after one day, the south wind blowing, we came the second day to Puteoli;
14 There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them. And so we came to Rome.
Where, finding brethren, we were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went to Rome.
15 The brothers there had heard about us and traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and gave thanks to God.
And from thence, when the brethren had heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and the Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to God, and took courage.
16 When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
And when we were come to Rome, Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kept him.
17 After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
And after the third day, he called together the chief of the Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them: Men, brethren, I, having done nothing against the people, or the custom of our fathers, was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans;
18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.
Who, when they had examined me, would have released me, for that there was no cause of death in me;
19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I have no charge to bring against my nation.
But the Jews contradicting it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had any thing to accuse my nation of.
20 So for this reason I have called to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
For this cause therefore I desired to see you, and to speak to you. Because that for the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain.
21 The leaders replied, “We have not received any letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the brothers from there reported or even mentioned anything bad about you.
But they said to him: We neither received letters concerning thee from Judea, neither did any of the brethren that came hither, relate or speak any evil of thee.
22 But we consider your views worth hearing, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”
But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, we know that it is every where contradicted.
23 So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.
And when they had appointed him a day, there came very many to him unto his lodgings; to whom he expounded, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, out of the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning until evening.
24 Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe.
And some believed the things that were said; but some believed not.
25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, Paul speaking this one word: Well did the Holy Ghost speak to our fathers by Isaias the prophet,
26 ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
Saying: Go to this people, and say to them: With the ear you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive.
27 For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’
For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears have they heard heavily, and their eyes they have shut; lest perhaps they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
28 Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
Be it known therefore to you, that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.
And when he had said these things, the Jews went out from him, having much reasoning among themselves.
30 Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him.
And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging; and he received all that came in to him,
31 Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, without prohibition.
