Acts 28
1 When we were safe ashore, we discovered that we were on the island of Malta.
And after we had escaped, we then realized that the island was called Malta. Yet truly, the natives offered us no small amount of humane treatment.
2 The people there were very kind—they started a fire and called all of us over so we could warm up from the rain and the cold.
For they refreshed us all by kindling a fire, because rain was imminent and because of the cold.
3 Paul collected a bundle of firewood and threw it on the fire. But a poisonous snake was driven out of the bundle because of the heat and bit him, fastening itself on his hand.
But when Paul had gathered together a bundle of twigs, and had placed them on the fire, a viper, which had been drawn to the heat, fastened itself to his hand.
4 When the people there saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer. Even though he escaped death from the sea, Justice won't let him live.”
And truly, when the natives saw the beast hanging from his hand, they were saying to one another: “Certainly, this man must be a murderer, for though he escaped from the sea, vengeance will not permit him to live.”
5 However, Paul shook the snake off into the fire, and suffered no ill-effects.
But shaking off the creature into the fire, he indeed suffered no ill effects.
6 They were expecting him to swell up, or suddenly fall down dead. But after waiting a long time, they saw that nothing bad had happened to him so they changed their minds and decided he must be a god.
But they were supposing that he would soon swell up, and then would suddenly fall down and die. But having waited a long time, and seeing no ill effects in him, they changed their minds and were saying that he was a god.
7 Nearby were lands that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and looked after us for three days very hospitably.
Now among these places were estates owned by the ruler of the island, named Publius. And he, taking us in, showed us kind hospitality for three days.
8 Now Publius' father was sick, lying in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and prayed for him, placed his hands on him, and healed him.
Then it happened that the father of Publius lay ill with a fever and with dysentery. Paul entered to him, and when he had prayed and had laid his hands on him, he saved him.
9 After this happened, everyone else who was sick on the island came and was healed.
When this had been done, all who had diseases on the island approached and were cured.
10 They presented us with many gifts, and when we had to sail they provided everything we needed for the voyage.
And then they also presented us with many honors. And when we were ready to set sail, they gave us whatever we needed.
11 After a three month stay we set sail aboard a ship from Alexandria having a figurehead of the Heavenly Twins that had spent the winter at the island.
And so, after three months, we sailed in a ship from Alexandria, whose name was ‘the Castors,’ and which had wintered at the island.
12 We stopped at Syracuse, and spent three days there.
And when we had arrived at Syracuse, we were delayed there for three days.
13 From there we sailed on to Rhegium. The following day a south wind blew, and on the second day we arrived at the port of Puteoli,
From there, sailing close to the shore, we arrived at Rhegium. And after one day, with the south wind blowing, we arrived on the second day at Puteoli.
14 where we discovered some believers. They asked us to stay with them for a week. So we came to Rome.
There, after locating the brothers, we were asked to remain with them for seven days. And then we went on to Rome.
15 When some of the believers from Rome heard we had arrived they came to meet us at the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he was thankful to God and much encouraged.
And there, when the brothers had heard of us, they went to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. And when Paul had seen them, giving thanks to God, he took courage.
16 When we entered Rome, Paul was permitted to stay under house arrest with a soldier to guard him.
And when we had arrived at Rome, Paul was given permission to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
17 Three days later Paul invited the Jewish leaders there to come to see him. When they were all together he told them, “Brothers, even though I had not done anything wrong against the people or the customs of our forefathers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman authorities.
And after the third day, he called together the leaders of the Jews. And when they had convened, he said to them: “Noble brothers, I have done nothing against the people, nor against the customs of the fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
18 After they had interrogated me they wanted to release me because I had done nothing that warranted execution.
And after they held a hearing about me, they would have released me, because there was no case for death against me.
19 But the Jewish leaders opposed this, so I was forced to appeal to Caesar—not that I had any accusations against my own people.
But with the Jews speaking against me, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, though it was not as if I had any kind of accusation against my own nation.
20 That's why I asked to see you, and talk to you, because it is on account of the hope of Israel that I am chained up like this.”
And so, because of this, I requested to see you and to speak to you. For it is because of the hope of Israel that I am encircled with this chain.”
21 “We have not received any letters from Judea about you, and none of our people have come here with reports against you or to speak badly of you,” they told him.
But they said to him: “We have not received letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the other new arrivals among the brothers reported or spoken anything evil against you.
22 “But we do want to hear from you what you believe—especially regarding this sect, which we know is condemned everywhere.”
But we are asking to hear your opinions from you, for concerning this sect, we know that it is being spoken against everywhere.”
23 They made an appointment to meet with him. On that day many people came to where he was staying. From morning till night Paul was explaining to them, telling them about the kingdom of God. He tried to convince them about Jesus using the writings of the law of Moses and the prophets.
And when they had appointed a day for him, very many persons went to him at his guest quarters. And he discoursed, testifying to the kingdom of God, and persuading them about Jesus, using the law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning until evening.
24 Some accepted what Paul said, but some refused to believe.
And some believed the things that he was saying, yet others did not believe.
25 They couldn't agree among themselves, and they left after Paul told them this: “The Holy Spirit said it well through Isaiah the prophet to your forefathers,
And when they could not agree among themselves, they departed, while Paul was speaking this one word: “How well did the Holy Spirit speak to our fathers through the prophet Isaiah,
26 ‘Go to these people and tell them: Even though you hear, you won't ever understand, and even though you see, you won't ever comprehend.
saying: ‘Go to this people and say to them: Hearing, you shall hear and not understand, and seeing, you shall see and not perceive.
27 For the minds of these people have become calloused and hard, their ears cannot hear, their eyes are shut, in case they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and understand with their minds, and might come back to me and I would heal them.’
For the heart of this people has grown dull, and they have listened with reluctant ears, and they have closed their eyes tightly, lest perhaps they might see with the eyes, and hear with the ears, and understand with the heart, and so be converted, and I would heal them.’
28 Consequently you should know that this salvation that comes from God has been sent to the foreigners and they will listen.”
Therefore, let it be known to you, that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they shall listen to it.”
And when he had said these things, the Jews went away from him, though they still had many questions among themselves.
30 For two full years Paul stayed there in the house he rented, welcoming everyone who came to see him.
Then he remained for two whole years in his own rented lodgings. And he received all who went in to him,
31 He spoke of the kingdom of God, and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ very boldly. No one prevented him.
preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which are from the Lord Jesus Christ, with all faithfulness, without prohibition.
