Acts 28
1 When we were all safe, we found that the island was called Malta.
And, when we were safely through, then, we knew that the island was called, Melita.
2 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.
And, the natives, began to shew us no common philanthropy; for, kindling a fire, they received us all, because of the rain that had set in, and because of the cold.
3 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.
But, when Paul had gathered a certain lot of firewood into a bundle, and laid it on the fire, a viper, by reason of the heat, coming forth, fastened on his hand.
4 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.”
And, when the natives saw the brute hanging out from his hand, they began to say, one to another—Doubtless, this man is, a murderer, whom, though brought safely through out of the sea, Justice, hath not suffered, to live.
5 However, Paul shook the creature off into the fire and took no harm.
He, however, shaking of the brute into the fire, suffered no harm;
6 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.
whereas, they, were expecting, that he was about to become inflamed, or to fall down suddenly dead; —but, when they had been long expecting, and had observed, nothing unusual, happening unto him, they changed their minds, and began to say he was a god.
7 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.
Now, in the neighbourhood of that place, were lands, belonging to the chief man of the island, by name Publius, —who, making us welcome, for three days, hospitably entertained us.
8 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.
And it so happened that, the father of Publius, with feverish heats and dysentery distressed, was lying prostrate: unto whom Paul entering in and praying, laid his hands on him, and healed him.
9 After this, all the people in the island who had any illness came to Paul, and were cured.
And, when this happened, the rest also, even they in the island who were sick, were coming in and getting cured;
10 They also presented us with many gifts, and when we set sail they put supplies of necessaries on board.
who also, with many honours, honoured us, and, when we were about to sail, put on board such things as we might need.
11 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.
And, after three months, we sailed in a ship which had wintered in the island, [a ship] of Alexandria, whose ensign was The Twin Brothers;
12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days,
and, touching at Syracuse, we tarried three days;
13 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.
whence, going round, we reached Rhegium; and, after one day, a south wind springing up, on the second day, we came to Puteoli;
14 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.
where, finding brethren, we were entreated to tarry, with them, seven days; —and, thus, towards Rome, we came.
15 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.
And, when from thence the brethren heard the tidings concerning us, they came to meet us, as far as The Market of Appius and the Three Taverns—seeing whom, Paul thanked God, and took courage.
16 On our reaching Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, except for the soldier who was in charge of him.
And, when we entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself, with the soldier that guarded him.
17 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.
And it came to pass, after three days, that he called together those who were the chief of the Jews; and, when they came together, he began to say unto them—I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, as a prisoner, out of Jerusalem, was delivered into the hands of the Romans;
18 The Romans, when they had examined me, were ready to release me, because there was nothing in my conduct deserving death.
who, indeed, when they had examined me, were minded to set me at liberty, because there was, nothing worthy of death, in me.
19 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.
But, as the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar, —not as though, against my nation, I had anything to bring by way of accusation.
20 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.”
For this cause, therefore, have I called for you, to see and to speak with you; for, on account of the hope of Israel, this chain, have I about me!
21 “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.
And, they, said unto him—We, have neither received letters concerning thee from the Jews, nor hath anyone of the brethren who hath arrived reported or spoken concerning thee, anything ill.
22 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.”
But we deem it well, that, from thee, we should hear what are thine opinions; for, indeed, concerning this sect, it is, known to us, that, everywhere, is it spoken against.
23 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.
And, having arranged with him a day, there came unto him, to the lodging, a larger number; unto whom he proceeded to expound, bearing full witness as to the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses, and from the prophets, —from morning till evening.
24 Some were inclined to accept what he said; others, however, rejected it.
And, some, indeed, were persuaded by the things that were spoken, whereas, others, disbelieved;
25 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 –
and, not being, agreed, among themselves, they began to leave, —Paul having said one thing—Well, did, the Holy Spirit, speak through Isaiah the prophet, unto your fathers,
26 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.
saying—Go thy way unto this people, and say—Ye shall, surely hear, and yet will in nowise understand. And, surely see, and yet will in nowise perceive;
27 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.
For the heart of this people, hath become dense, and, with their ears, heavily, have they heard, and, their eyes, have they closed, —lest once they should see with their eyes, and, with their ears, should hear, and, with their hearts, should understand, and return, —when I would certainly heal them.
28 Understand, then, that this salvation of God was sent for the Gentiles; and they will listen.”
Be it, known unto you, therefore, that, unto the nations, hath been sent forth this salvation of God: they, will also hear.
30 For two whole years Paul stayed in a house which he rented for himself, welcoming all who came to see him,
And he abode two whole years in his own hired house, and made welcome all who were coming in unto him, —
31 proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ, with perfect fearlessness, unhindered.
proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom of speech, without hindrance.
