Acts 28

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

Our lives having been thus preserved, we discovered 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 strange-speaking natives showed us remarkable kindness, for they lighted a fire and made us all welcome because of the pelting rain and the 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.

Now, when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and had thrown them on the fire, a viper, driven by the heat, came out and fastened itself 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 natives saw the creature hanging to his hand, they said to one another, "Beyond doubt this man is a murderer, for, though saved from the sea, unerring Justice does not permit him to live."

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

He, however, shook the reptile off into the fire and was unhurt.

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.

They expected him soon to swell with inflammation or suddenly fall down dead; but, after waiting a long time and seeing no harm come to 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.

Now in the same part of the island there were estates belonging to the Governor, whose name was Publius. He welcomed us to his house, and for three days generously made us his guests.

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, however, that his father was lying ill of dysentery aggravated by attacks of fever; so Paul went to see him, and, after praying, laid 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 other sick people in the island came 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 loaded us with honours, and when at last we sailed they put supplies on board for us.

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

Three months passed before we set sail in an Alexandrian vessel, called the 'Twin Brothers,' which had wintered at the island.

12 Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

At Syracuse we put in and stayed for two 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,

From there we came round and reached Rhegium; and a day later, a south wind sprang up which brought us by the evening of the next day to Puteoli.

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

Here we found brethren, who invited us to remain with them for a week; and so we reached 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.

Meanwhile the brethren there, hearing of our movements, came as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Huts to meet us; and when Paul saw them he thanked God and felt encouraged.

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

Upon our arrival in Rome, Paul received permission to live by himself, guarded by a soldier.

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 Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,

After one complete day he invited the leading men among the Jews to meet him; and, when they were come together, he said to them, "As for me, brethren, although I had done nothing prejudicial to our people or contrary to the customs of our forefathers, I was handed over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the power of the Romans.

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

They, after they had sharply questioned me, were willing to set me at liberty, because they found no offence in me for which I deserve to die.

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, at last, the opposition of the Jews compelled me to appeal to Caesar; not however that I had any charge to bring against my nation.

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

For these reasons, then, I have invited you here, that I might see you and speak to you; for it is for the sake of Him who is the hope of Israel that this chain hangs upon me."

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

"For our part," they replied, "we have not received any letters from Judaea about you, nor have any of our countrymen come here and reported or stated anything to your disadvantage.

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 should be glad to hear from you what it is that you believe; for as for this sect all we know is that it is everywhere spoken against."

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 Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.

So they arranged a day with him and came to him in considerable numbers at the house of the friends who were entertaining him. And then, with solemn earnestness, he explained to them the subject of the Kingdom of God, endeavouring from morning till evening to convince them about Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.

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

Some were convinced; others refused to believe.

25 When they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah, the prophet, to your fathers,

Unable to agree among themselves, they at last left him, but not before Paul had spoken a parting word to them, saying, "Right well did the Holy Spirit say to your forefathers through the Prophet Isaiah:

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 people and tell them, you will hear and hear, and by no means understand; and will look and look, and by no means see.

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 this people's mind has grown callous, their hearing has become dull, and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes, or hearing with their ears, or understanding with their minds, and turning back, so that I might cure them.'

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

"Be fully assured, therefore, that this salvation--God's salvation--has now been sent to the Gentiles, and that they, at any rate, will give heed."

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,

After this Paul lived for fully two years in a hired house of his own, receiving all who came to see him.

31 proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

He announced the coming of the Kingdom of God, and taught concerning the Lord Jesus Christ without let or hindrance.