Acts 28
1 When we were brought safely through, we learned that the island was called Malta.
Once we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta.
2 The native people offered to us not just ordinary kindness, but they lit a fire and welcomed us all, because of the constant rain and cold.
The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire and welcomed all of us because it was raining and 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 onto 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 native people saw the animal hanging from his hand, they said one to another, “This man certainly is a murderer who escaped from the sea, yet justice does not permit 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 But then he shook the animal into the fire and suffered no harm.
But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.
6 They were waiting for him to become inflamed with a fever or to suddenly drop dead. But after they watched him for a long time and saw that nothing was unusual 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 Now in a nearby place there were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, a man named Publius. He welcomed us and kindly provided for us for three days.
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 had been made ill with a fever and dysentery. When Paul went to him, he prayed, placed his hands on him, and healed 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 happened, the rest of the people on the island who were sick also came and were healed.
After this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured as well.
10 The people also honored us with many honors. When we were preparing to sail, they gave us what we needed.
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 an ship that had spent the winter at the island, a ship of Alexandria, with “the twin gods” as it figurehead.
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 After we landed at the city of Syracuse, we stayed there three days.
Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.
13 From there we sailed and arrived at the city of Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and in two days we came to the city of Puteoli.
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 brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. In this way we came to Rome.
There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them. And so we came to Rome.
15 From there the brothers, after they heard about us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw the brothers, he thanked God and took courage.
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 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who was guarding him.
When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
17 Then it came about that after three days Paul called together those men who were the leaders among the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing wrong against the people or the customs of our fathers, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of 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 After they questioned me, they wished to set me free, because there was no reason in me for a death penalty.
They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.
19 But when the Jews spoke against their desire, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, although it is not as if I were bringing any accusation against my 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 Because of my appeal, then, I have asked to see you and to speak with you. It is because of the certain hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
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 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea about you, nor did any of the brothers come and report or say 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 want to hear from you what you think about this sect, because it is known by us that it is spoken against everywhere.”
But we consider your views worth hearing, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”
23 When they had set a day for him, more people came to him at his dwelling place. He presented the matter to them, and testified about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them about Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until 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 convinced about the things which were said, while others did not believe.
Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe.
25 When they did not agree with one another, they left after Paul had spoken this one word, “The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers.
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 He said, 'Go to this people and say, “By hearing you will hear, but not understand; and seeing you will see, but will not perceive.
‘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 heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they hardly hear, and they have shut their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn again, and I would 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 Therefore, you should know that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen.”
Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
30 Paul lived for two whole years in his own rented house, and he welcomed all who came to him.
Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him.
31 He was proclaiming the kingdom of God and was teaching the things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness. No one stopped him.
Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
