Acts 28

Paul on the Island of Malta

1 When we were safe on land, we learned that the island was called Malta.2 The people who lived there were very good to us. Because it was raining and very cold, they made a fire and welcomed all of us.3 Paul gathered a pile of sticks and was putting them on the fire when a poisonous snake came out because of the heat and bit him on the hand.4 The people living on the island saw the snake hanging from Paul’s hand and said to each other, “This man must be a murderer! He did not die in the sea, but Justice 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and was not hurt.

6 The people thought that Paul would swell up or fall down dead. They waited and watched him for a long time, but nothing bad happened to him. So they changed their minds and said, “He is a god!”
7 There were some fields around there owned by Publius, an important man on the island. He welcomed us into his home and was very good to us for three days.8 Publius’ father was sick with a fever and dysentery. 9 After this, all the other sick people on the island came to Paul, and he healed them, too.

10-11 The people on the island gave us many honors. When we were ready to leave, three months later, they gave us the things we needed.

We got on a ship from Alexandria that had stayed on the island during the winter. On the front of the ship was the sign of the twin gods. 

Paul Goes to Rome

12 We stopped at Syracuse for three days.13 From there we sailed to Rhegium. The next day a wind began to blow from the south, and a day later we came to Puteoli.14 We found some believers there who asked us to stay with them for a week. Finally, we came to Rome.15 The believers in Rome heard that we were there and came out as far as the Market of Appius 

Paul in Rome

16 When we arrived at Rome, Paul was allowed to live alone, with the soldier who guarded him.
17 Three days later Paul sent for the leaders there. When they came together, he said, “Brothers, I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. But I was arrested in Jerusalem and given to the Romans.18 After they asked me many questions, they could find no reason why I should be killed. They wanted to let me go free,19 but the evil people there argued against that. So I had to ask to come to Rome to have my trial before Caesar. But I have no charge to bring against my own people.

20 That is why I wanted to see you and talk with you. I am bound with this chain because I believe in the hope of Israel.”
21 They answered Paul, “We have received no letters from Judea about you. None of our Jewish brothers who have come from there brought news or told us anything bad about you.

22 But we want to hear your ideas, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this religious group.”
23 Paul and the people chose a day for a meeting and on that day many more of the Jews met with Paul at the place he was staying. He spoke to them all day long. Using the law of Moses and the prophets’ writings, he explained the kingdom of God, and he tried to persuade them to believe these things about Jesus.24 Some believed what Paul said, but others did not.

25 So they argued and began leaving after Paul said one more thing to them: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

26 ‘Go to this people and say:
You will listen and listen, but you will not understand. You will look and look, but you will not learn,

27 because these people have become stubborn. They don’t hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise, they might really understand what they see with their eyes and hear with their ears.
They might really understand in their minds and come back to me and be healed.’ t
28 “I want you to know that God has also sent his salvation to all nations, and they will listen!” [29 After Paul said this, the Jews left. They were arguing very much with each other.] 30 Paul stayed two full years in his own rented house and welcomed all people who came to visit him.31 He boldly preached about the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, and no one stopped him.

Acts 28

1 And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita.2 And the barbarians showed us no common kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out by reason of the heat, and fastened on his hand.4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped from the sea, yet Justice hath not suffered to live.5 Howbeit he shook off the creature into the fire, and took no harm.6 But they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but when they were long in expectation and beheld nothing amiss came 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 man of the island, named Publius, who received us, and entertained us three days courteously.8 And it was so, that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laying his hands on him healed him.9 And when this was done, the rest also that had diseases in the island came, and were cured:10 who also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we needed.11 And after three months we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was The Twin Brothers.12 And touching at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.13 And from thence we made a circuit, and arrived at Rhegium: and after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli;14 where we found brethren, and were entreated to tarry with them seven days: and so we came to Rome.15 And from thence the brethren, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.16 And when we entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him.17 And it came to pass, that after three days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans:18 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me.19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had aught whereof to accuse my nation.20 For this cause therefore did I entreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of thee.22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.23 And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening.24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers,26 saying, Go thou unto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:

27 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them.

28 Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear.29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much disputing among themselves.30 And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him,31 preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.