Acts 28
1 And when we were safe, we made the discovery that the island was named Melita.
Once we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta.
2 And the simple people living there were uncommonly kind to us, for they made a fire for us, and took us in, because it was raining and cold.
The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire and welcomed all of us because it was raining and cold.
3 But when Paul had got some sticks together and put them on the fire, a snake came out, because of the heat, and gave him a bite on the hand.
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.
4 And when the people saw it hanging on his hand, they said to one another, Without doubt this man has put someone to death, and though he has got safely away from the sea, God will not let him go on living.
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.”
5 But shaking off the beast into the fire, he got no damage.
But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.
6 But they had the idea that they would see him becoming ill, or suddenly falling down dead; but after waiting a long time, and seeing that no damage came to him, changing their opinion, they said he was a god.
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.
7 Now near that place there was some land, the property of the chief man of the island, who was named Publius; who very kindly took us into his house as his guests for three days.
Nearby stood an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
8 And the father of Publius was ill, with a disease of the stomach; to whom Paul went, and put his hands on him, with prayer, and made him well.
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.
9 And when this took place, all the others in the island who had diseases came and were made well.
After this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured as well.
10 Then they gave us great honour, and, when we went away, they put into the ship whatever things we were in need of.
The islanders honored us in many ways and supplied our needs when we were ready to sail.
11 And after three months we went to sea in a ship of Alexandria sailing under the sign of the Dioscuri, which had been at the island for the winter.
After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered in the island. It had the Twin Brothers as a figurehead.
12 And going into the harbour at Syracuse, we were waiting there for three days.
Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.
13 And from there, going about in a curve, we came to Rhegium: and after one day a south wind came up and on the day after we came to Puteoli:
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.
14 Where we came across some of the brothers, who kept us with them for seven days; and so we came to Rome.
There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them. And so we came to Rome.
15 And the brothers, when they had news of us, came out from town as far as Appii Forum and the Three Taverns to have a meeting with us: and Paul, seeing them, gave praise to God and took heart.
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.
16 And when we came into Rome, they let Paul have a house for himself and the armed man who kept watch over him.
When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
17 Then after three days he sent for the chief men of the Jews: and when they had come together, he said to them, My brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the ways of our fathers, I was given, a prisoner from Jerusalem, into the hands of the Romans.
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.
18 Who, when they had put questions to me, were ready to let me go free, because there was no cause of death in me.
They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.
19 But when the Jews made protest against it, I had to put my cause into Caesar's hands; not because I have anything to say against my nation.
But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I have no charge to bring against my nation.
20 But for this reason I sent for you, to see and have talk with you: for because of the hope of Israel I am in these chains.
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.”
21 And they said to him, We have not had letters from Judaea about you, and no one of the brothers has come to us here to give an account or say any evil about you.
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.
22 But we have a desire to give hearing to your opinion: for as to this form of religion, we have knowledge that in all places it is attacked.
But we consider your views worth hearing, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”
23 And when a day had been fixed, they came to his house in great numbers; and he gave them teaching, giving witness to the kingdom of God, and having discussions with them about Jesus, from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening.
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.
24 And some were in agreement with what he said, but some had doubts.
Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe.
25 And they went away, for there was a division among them after Paul had said this one thing: Well did the Holy Spirit say by the prophet Isaiah to your fathers,
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:
26 Go to this people and say, Though you give ear, you will not get knowledge; and seeing, you will see, but the sense will not be clear to you:
‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For the heart of this people has become fat and their ears are slow in hearing and their eyes are shut; for fear that they might see with their eyes and give hearing with their ears and become wise in their hearts and be turned again to me, so that I might make them well.
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.’
28 Be certain, then, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will give hearing.
Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
30 And for the space of two years, Paul was living in the house of which he had the use, and had talk with all those who went in to see him,
Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him.
31 Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ without fear, and no orders were given that he was not to do so.
Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
