Acts 28

1 When we had escaped, then we learned that the island was called Malta.

When we were all safe, we found that the island was called Malta.

2 The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

The island’s people showed us marked kindness, for they lit a fire and took us all under shelter, because it had come on to rain and was cold.

3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and placed them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

Paul had gathered a quantity of dry sticks and laid them on the fire, when a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, fastened on his hand.

4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live."

When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, ‘Evidently this man is a murderer, for though he has been saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.’

5 However he shook off the creature into the fire, and was not harmed.

However, Paul shook the creature off into the fire and took no harm.

6 But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

The islanders were expecting inflammation to set in, or that he would suddenly fall dead; but, after waiting for a long time, and seeing that there was nothing amiss with him, they changed their minds and said that he was a God.

7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief official of the island, named Publius, who received us, and courteously entertained us for three days.

In that region there was an estate belonging to the Governor of the island, whose name was Publius. He took us up to his house, and for three days entertained us most courteously.

8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.

It happened that the father of Publius was lying ill of fever and dysentery. So Paul went to see him; and, after praying, he placed his hands on him and cured him.

9 Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came, and were cured.

After this, all the people in the island who had any illness came to Paul, and were cured.

10 They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.

They also presented us with many gifts, and when we set sail they put supplies of necessaries on board.

11 After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was "The Twin Brothers."

After three months, we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island. She was an Alexandrian vessel, and had the Twin sons of Zeus for her figure-head.

12 Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days,

13 From there we cast off and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli,

and from there we worked to windward and so got to Rhegium. A day later a south wind sprang up and took us to Puteoli in two days.

14 where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.

There we found some of the Lord’s followers, and were urged to stay a week with them; after which we went on to Rome.

15 From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage.

The followers there had heard about us, and came out as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At sight of them Paul thanked God and was much cheered.

16 When we entered into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

On our reaching Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, except for the soldier who was in charge of him.

17 It happened that after three days he called together those who were the Jewish leaders. When they had come together, he said to them, "I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Urishlim into the hands of the Romans,

Three days after our arrival, Paul invited the leading Jews to meet him; and, when they came, he said, ‘Brothers, although I had done nothing hostile to the interests of our nation or to our ancestral customs, yet I was sent from Jerusalem as a prisoner, and handed over to the Romans.

18 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.

The Romans, when they had examined me, were ready to release me, because there was nothing in my conduct deserving death.

19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.

But, as the Jewish leaders opposed my release, I was compelled to appeal to the Emperor – not, indeed, that I had any charge to make against my own nation.

20 For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israyel I am bound with this chain."

This, then, is my reason for urging you to come to see me and talk with me; because it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am here in chains.’

21 They said to him, "We neither received letters from Yehuda concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you.

‘We,’ was their reply, ‘have not had any letter about you from Judea, nor have any of our fellow Jews come and reported or said anything bad about you.

22 But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against."

But we will be glad to hear from you what your views are, for, with regard to this sect, we are well aware that it is spoken against on all sides.’

23 When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Yeshua, both from the Law of Mushe and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.

They then fixed a day with him, and came to the place where he was staying, in even larger numbers, when Paul proceeded to lay the subject before them. He bore his testimony to the kingdom of God, and tried to convince them about Jesus, by arguments drawn from the Law of Moses and from the prophets – speaking from morning until evening.

24 Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

Some were inclined to accept what he said; others, however, rejected it.

25 When they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, "The Rukha d'Qudsha spoke rightly through Eshaya, the prophet, to your fathers,

So, as they disagreed among themselves, they began to disperse, Paul adding only – ‘True, indeed, was the declaration made by the Holy Spirit, through the prophet Isaiah to your ancestors –

26 saying, 'Go to this people, and say, in hearing, you will hear, but will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see, but will in no way perceive.

Go to this nation and say: You will hear with your ears without ever understanding, and, though you have eyes, you will see without ever perceiving.

27 For this people's heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, and I would heal them.'

For the mind of this nation has grown dense, and their ears are dull of hearing, their eyes also have they closed; otherwise some day they might see with their eyes, and with their ears they might hear, and in their mind they might understand, and might turn – and I might heal them.

28 "Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations. They will also listen."

Understand, then, that this salvation of God was sent for the Gentiles; and they will listen.’

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.

30 And Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who were coming to him,

For two whole years Paul stayed in a house which he rented for himself, welcoming all who came to see him,

31 proclaiming the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Yeshua Meshikha with all boldness, without hindrance.

proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ, with perfect fearlessness, unhindered.