Acts 28
1 And when we were safe, we made the discovery that the island was named Melita.
And when they were safe on shore, they understood, that the island was called Melita.
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.
And the barbarians shewed us uncommon humanity: for they kindled a fire and took us all in, because of the present rain, and of the 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.
And Paul having gathered together a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came out a viper from the heat, and fastened on 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.
And when the barbarians saw the venomous creature hanging on his hand, they said to one another, This man is certainly a murderer, whom, though he hath been saved from the sea, yet justice suffereth not to live.
5 But shaking off the beast into the fire, he got no damage.
But he shook off the creature into the fire, and suffered no hurt.
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.
They however were expecting that he would swell, or suddenly fall down dead: but when they had waited a good while, and saw no hurt come to him, they changed their opinion and said that 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.
Now in the parts adjacent to this place was the seat of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius, who took us into his house, and entertained us three days courteously.
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.
And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery: to whom Paul went in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
9 And when this took place, all the others in the island who had diseases came and were made well.
Upon this, others also in the island, who had diseases came to him and were cured:
10 Then they gave us great honour, and, when we went away, they put into the ship whatever things we were in need of.
who also honoured us with many honors, and furnished us, when we departed, with such things as were necessary.
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.
And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, that had wintered in the island, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
12 And going into the harbour at Syracuse, we were waiting there for three days.
And being arrived at Syracuse, we staid 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 whence coasting round we came to Rhegium, and after one day a south-wind rising, we came the second day to Puteoli:
14 Where we came across some of the brothers, who kept us with them for seven days; and so we came to Rome.
where finding some brethren, we were desired to stay with them seven days: and so we went on 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.
And when the brethren heard of us, they came from thence to meet us, some as far as Appii-forum, and others to the Three-taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God and took courage.
16 And when we came into Rome, they let Paul have a house for himself and the armed man who kept watch over him.
And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was permitted to live by himself with the soldier that had him in custody.
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.
And after three days Paul called together the chief of the Jews. And when they were come together, he said unto them, Brethren, though I have done nothing against the people of the Jews, or the customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of 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.
who when they had examined me, would have set me at liberty, because there was no crime worthy of death found in 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 the Jews opposing it, I was obliged to appeal to Cesar; though not as having any thing to accuse my nation of.
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.
For this reason therefore I desired to see and to speak to you: because that for the hope of Israel 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.
And they said to him, We have neither received letters concerning thee from Judea, nor has any of the brethren, that is come hither, related or spoken any ill of thee.
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 would willingly hear from thee what thou thinkest: for as to this sect, we know that it is every where spoken against.
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.
And having appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging; to whom he discoursed and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them of the things concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses, and from the prophets, from morning till evening.
24 And some were in agreement with what he said, but some had doubts.
And some regarded the things that were spoken, but others did not 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,
And so disagreeing one with another they separated, when Paul had said one word, to wit, that the holy Spirit spake rightly by Esaias the prophet to our fathers,
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:
saying, Go to this people and say, Ye shall hear by the hearing of the ear, and not understand; and in seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: for the heart of this people is stupified,
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.
and they hear heavily with their ears, and have closed their eyes; least they should see at all with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
28 Be certain, then, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will give hearing.
Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.
And when he had said these things, the Jews departed, having much debate among themselves.
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,
And Paul abode two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came to 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.
preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom, none forbidding him.
