Acts 28

1 And having been saved, then they knew that the island is called Malta,

And when we were safe, we made the discovery that the island was named Melita.

2 and the foreigners were showing us no ordinary kindness, for having kindled a fire, they received us all, because of the pressing rain, and because of the cold;

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.

3 but Paul having gathered together a quantity of sticks, and having laid [them] on the fire, a viper—having come out of the heat—fastened on his hand.

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.

4 And when the foreigners saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Certainly this man is a murderer, whom, having been saved out of the sea, the justice did not permit to live”;

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.

5 he then, indeed, having shaken off the beast into the fire, suffered no evil,

But shaking off the beast into the fire, he got no damage.

6 and they were expecting him to be about to be inflamed, or to suddenly fall down dead, and they, expecting [it] a long time, and seeing nothing uncommon happening to him, changing [their] minds, said he was a god.

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.

7 And in the neighborhood of that place were lands of the principal man of the island, by name Publius, who, having received us, courteously lodged [us for] three days;

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.

8 and it came to pass, the father of Publius was lying, oppressed with fevers and dysentery, to whom Paul, having entered and having prayed, having laid [his] hands on him, healed him;

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.

9 this, therefore, being done, also the others in the island having sicknesses were coming and were healed;

And when this took place, all the others in the island who had diseases came and were made well.

10 who also honored us with many honors, and we setting sail—they were loading [us] with the things that were necessary.

Then they gave us great honour, and, when we went away, they put into the ship whatever things we were in need of.

11 And after three months, we set sail in a ship (that had wintered in the island) of Alexandria, with the sign Dioscuri,

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.

12 and having landed at Syracuse, we remained three days,

And going into the harbour at Syracuse, we were waiting there for three days.

13 there having gone around, we came to Rhegium, and after one day, a south wind having sprung up, the second [day] we came to Puteoli,

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:

14 where, having found brothers, we were called on to remain with them seven days, and thus we came to Rome;

Where we came across some of the brothers, who kept us with them for seven days; and so we came to Rome.

15 and there, the brothers having heard the things concerning us, came forth to meet us, as far as [the] Forum of Appius, and Three Taverns—whom Paul having seen, having given thanks to God, took courage.

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.

16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered up the prisoners to the captain of the barracks, but Paul was permitted to remain by himself, with the soldier guarding him.

And when we came into Rome, they let Paul have a house for himself and the armed man who kept watch over him.

17 And it came to pass after three days, Paul called together those who are the principal men of the Jews, and they having come together, he said to them: “Men, brothers, I—having done nothing contrary to the people, or to the customs of the fathers—a prisoner from Jerusalem, was delivered up into the hands of the Romans;

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.

18 who having examined me, were willing to release [me], because of their being no cause of death in me,

Who, when they had put questions to me, were ready to let me go free, because there was no cause of death in me.

19 and the Jews having spoken against [it], I was constrained to appeal to Caesar—not as having anything to accuse my nation of;

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.

20 for this cause, therefore, I called for you to see and to speak with [you], for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

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.

21 And they said to him, “We neither received letters concerning you from Judea, nor did anyone who came of the brothers declare or speak any evil concerning you,

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.

22 and we think it good from you to hear what you think, for indeed, concerning this sect it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere”;

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.

23 and having appointed him a day, more of them came to him, to the lodging, to whom he was setting [it] forth, testifying fully the Kingdom of God, persuading them also of the things concerning Jesus, both from the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, from morning until evening,

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.

24 and some, indeed, were believing the things spoken, and some were not believing.

And some were in agreement with what he said, but some had doubts.

25 And not being agreed with one another, they were going away, Paul having spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,

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,

26 saying, Go on to this people and say, With hearing you will hear, and you will not understand, and seeing you will see, and you will not perceive,

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:

27 for the heart of this people was made obtuse, and with the ears they barely heard, and they closed their eyes, lest they may see with the eyes, and may understand with the heart, and should turn, and I may heal them.

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.

28 Be it known, therefore, to you, that the salvation of God was sent to the nations, these also will hear it”;

Be certain, then, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will give hearing.

29 [[and he having said these things, the Jews went away, having much debate among themselves; ]]

30 and Paul remained an entire two years in his own hired [house], and was receiving all those coming in to him,

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,

31 preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness—unforbidden.

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.