Acts 28
1 And, when we were safely through, then, we knew that the island was called, Melita.
Our lives having been thus preserved, we discovered that the island was called Malta.
2 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 He, however, shaking of the brute into the fire, suffered no harm;
He, however, shook the reptile off into the fire and was unhurt.
6 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 And, when this happened, the rest also, even they in the island who were sick, were coming in and getting cured;
After this, all the other sick people in the island came and were cured.
10 who also, with many honours, honoured us, and, when we were about to sail, put on board such things as we might need.
They also loaded us with honours, and when at last we sailed they put supplies on board for us.
11 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;
Three months passed before we set sail in an Alexandrian vessel, called the 'Twin Brothers,' which had wintered at the island.
12 and, touching at Syracuse, we tarried three days;
At Syracuse we put in and stayed for two days.
13 whence, going round, we reached Rhegium; and, after one day, a south wind springing up, 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, finding brethren, we were entreated to tarry, with them, seven days; —and, thus, towards Rome, we came.
Here we found brethren, who invited us to remain with them for a week; and so we reached Rome.
15 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.
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 And, when we entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself, with the soldier that guarded him.
Upon our arrival in Rome, Paul received permission to live by himself, guarded by a soldier.
17 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;
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, indeed, when they had examined me, were minded to set me at liberty, because there was, nothing worthy 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, 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.
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, 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!
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 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.
"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 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.
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 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.
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 And, some, indeed, were persuaded by the things that were spoken, whereas, others, disbelieved;
Some were convinced; others refused to believe.
25 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,
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 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;
"'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 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.
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 unto you, therefore, that, unto the nations, hath been sent forth this salvation of God: they, will also hear.
"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."
30 And he abode two whole years in his own hired house, and made welcome all who were coming in unto 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 freedom of speech, without hindrance.
He announced the coming of the Kingdom of God, and taught concerning the Lord Jesus Christ without let or hindrance.
