Acts 28
1 When we were all safe, we found that the island was called Malta.
Once we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta.
2 The natives 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.
The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire and welcomed all of us because it was raining and cold.
3 Paul had gathered a quantity of dry sticks and laid them on the fire, when a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened on his hand.
Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand.
4 When the natives 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.”
When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
5 However, Paul shook the creature off into the fire and took no harm.
But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.
6 The natives 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.
The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
7 In that neighbourhood 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.
Nearby stood an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
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.
The father of Publius was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after praying and placing his hands on him, he healed the man.
9 After this, all the people in the island who had any illness came to Paul, and were cured.
After this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured as well.
10 They also presented us with many gifts, and when we set sail they put supplies of necessaries on board.
The islanders honored us in many ways and supplied our needs when we were ready to sail.
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.
After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered in the island. It had the Twin Brothers as a figurehead.
12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days,
Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there 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.
From there we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day, a south wind came up, and on the second day we arrived at Puteoli.
14 There we found some of the Brethren, and were urged to stay a week with them; after which we went on to Rome.
There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them. And so we came to Rome.
15 The Brethren 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.
The brothers there had heard about us and traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and gave thanks to God.
16 On our reaching Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, except for the soldier who was in charge of him.
When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
17 Three days after our arrival, Paul invited the leading Jews to meet him; and, when they came, he spoke to them as follows: “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.
After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
18 The Romans, when they had examined me, were ready to release me, because there was nothing in my conduct deserving death.
They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.
19 But, as the Jews 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 when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I have no charge to bring against my nation.
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.”
So for this reason I have called to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
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.
The leaders replied, “We have not received any letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the brothers from there reported or even mentioned anything bad about you.
22 But we shall 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 consider your views worth hearing, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”
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 till evening.
So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.
24 Some were inclined to accept what he said; others, however, rejected it.
Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe.
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 —
They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
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.”
‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For the mind of this nation has grown dense, And their ears are dull of hearing, Their eyes also have they closed; Lest some day they should see with their eyes, And with their ears they should hear, And in their mind they should understand, and should turn — And I should heal them.’
For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 Understand, then, that this Salvation of God was sent for the Gentiles; and they will listen.”
Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
30 For two whole years Paul stayed in a house which he rented for himself, welcoming all who came to see him,
Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him.
31 proclaiming the Kingdom of God, and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ, with perfect fearlessness, unmolested.
Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
