Acts 28

Paul on Malta

1 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.2 The native peoplet showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justicet has not allowed him to live."5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come 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 hospitably for three days.8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him.9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.10 They also honored us greatly,t and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

Paul Arrives at Rome

11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin godst as a figurehead.12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.13 And from there 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 There we found brotherst and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him.

Paul in Rome

17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, "Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation.20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain."21 And they said to him, "We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against."

23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: "The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

26  "'Go to this people, and say,
You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.
27  For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.'

28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."t

30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense,t and welcomed all who came to him,31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Acts 28

Paul on Malta

1 After we had safely reached shore,t we learned that the island was called Malta.ss2 The local inhabitantst showed us extraordinaryt kindness, for they built a fire and welcomed us all because it had started to raint and was cold.3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwoodt and was putting it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.4 When the local peoplet saw the creature hanging from Paul’st hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer! Although he has escaped from the sea, Justice herselft has not allowed him to live!”s5 However,t Pault shookt the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

6 But they were expecting that he was going to swell upt or suddenly drop dead. So after they had waitedt a long time and had seent nothing unusual happent to him, they changed their mindst and said he was a god.s
7 Now in the region around that placet were fields belonging to the chief officialt of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably as guests for three days.8 The fathert of Publius lay sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see himt and after praying, placedt his hands on him and healeds him.9 After this had happened, many of the people on the island who were sickt also came and were healed.s

10 They also bestowed many honors,t and when we were preparing to sail,t they gavet us all the supplies we needed.s

Paul Finally Reaches Rome

11 After three months we put out to seat in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island and had the “Heavenly Twins”ts as its figurehead.t12 We put int at Syracuses and stayed there three days.13 From there we cast offs and arrived at Rhegium,s and after one day a south wind sprang upt and on the second day we came to Puteoli.s14 Theret we foundt some brotherss and were invited to stay with them seven days. And in this way we came to Rome.s15 The brothers from there,s when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appiuss and Three Tavernss to meet us. When he saw them,t Paul thanked God and took courage.

16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to livets by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

Paul Addresses the Jewish Community in Rome

17 After three dayst Pault called the local Jewish leaderst together. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers,t although I had donet nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors,ts from Jerusalems I was handed over as a prisoner to the Romans.t18 Whent they had heard my case,t they wanted to release me,s because there was no basis for a death sentencet against me.19 But when the Jews objected,t I was forced to appeal to Caesart – not that I had some charge to bringt against my own people.t20 So for this reason I have asked to see you and speak with you, for I am bound with this chain because of the hope of Israel.”s21 They replied,t “We have received no letters from Judea about you, nor have any of the brothers come from theret and reported or said anything bad about you.

22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, for regarding this sect we knowt that peoplet everywhere speak againstt it.”
23 They sett a day to meet with him,t and they came to him where he was stayingt in even greater numbers.t From morning until evening he explained thingst to them,t testifyingt about the kingdom of Gods and trying to convincet them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets.24 Some were convincedt by what he said,t but others refuseds to believe.25 So they began to leave,t unable to agree among themselves, after Paul made one last statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly to your ancestorst through the prophet Isaiah

26 when he said,
‘Go to this people and say,
“You will keep on hearing,tbut will never understand,
and you will keep on looking,tbut will never perceive.

27 For the heart of this people has become dull,ts
and their ears are hard of hearing,t
and they have closed their eyes,
so that they would not see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn,sand I would heal them.”’s

28 “Therefore be advisedt that this salvation from Godt has been sent to the Gentiles;s theyt will listen!”ss
30 Pault livedt there two whole years in his own rented quarterst and welcomedt all who came to him,

31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christt with complete boldnesst and without restriction.s