Acts 28

1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

Once they had safely reached shore, they found out that the island was called Malta.

2 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

The native people showed us extraordinary kindness. For they welcomed us all and kindled a fire because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold.

3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and when he was putting them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.

4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffers not to live.

When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man is undoubtedly a murderer. Although he has been saved from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”

5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

6 However, they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

The people were expecting that he would soon swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after waiting expectantly for a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

Now in the region around that place were lands that belonged to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and hospitably took care of us as his guests for three days.

8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

Now it so happened that the father of Publius lay sick in bed, suffering from fevers and dysentery. So Paul went in to see him and healed him by praying and laying his hands on him.

9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who were sick also came and were healed.

10 Who also honored us with many honors; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

So the people bestowed many honors on us, and when we were about to set sail, they provided us with the things we needed.

11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

After three months, we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island and that had the twin sons of Zeus as its figurehead.

12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.

13 And from there we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

From there we took a circuitous course and arrived at Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.

14 Where we found brothers, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

There we found some brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.

15 And from there, when the brothers heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

When the brothers from Rome heard the news about us, they came out as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he gave thanks to God and took courage.

16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

When we came into Rome, the centurion transferred the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said to them, Men and brothers, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

After three days, Paul called together those who were prominent among the Jews. When they had gathered together, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

When they examined me, they were willing to release me because there were no grounds for death in my case.

19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar; not that I had something to accuse my nation of.

But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation to make against my own nation.

20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

That is why I have asked to see you and speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

21 And they said to him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning you, neither any of the brothers that came showed or spoke any harm of you.

They said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about yoʋ, and none of the brothers who have come here have reported or spoken anything bad about yoʋ.

22 But we desire to hear of you what you think: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

But we think it would be best to hear what yoʋr views are, for concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

When they had arranged a day to meet with Paul, many more came to him at his lodging. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.

24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

Some were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe.

25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,

So they were in disagreement with one another and began to leave after Paul made this one final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to our fathers through the prophet Isaiah:

26 Saying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and not perceive:

‘Go to this people and say, “Although you will hear, you will never understand, and although you will see, you will never perceive.”

27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest 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.

For the heart of this people has become calloused; with their ears they have barely heard, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn back, and I would heal them.’

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

Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

After Paul said these things, the Jews went away and had a great dispute among themselves.

30 And Paul dwelled two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in to him,

For two whole years Paul stayed in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to him,

31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

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