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,27 For this people’s heart is waxed gross,

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.

Romans 1

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,2 which he promised afore through his prophets in the holy scriptures,3 concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,4 who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead;5 through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name’s sake;6 among whom are ye also called to be Jesus Christ’s:7 To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.9 For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers10 making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come unto you.11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;12 that is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.13 And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles.14 I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are in Rome.16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.17 For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith.18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness;19 because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them.20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made,21 because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened.22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.24 Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves:25 for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature:27 and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due.28 And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers,30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,31 without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful:32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them.

Romans 2

1 Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judges another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things.2 And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against them that practise such things.3 And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practise such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;6 who will render to every man according to his works:7 to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life:8 but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation,9 tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek;10 but glory and honor and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek:11 for there is no respect of persons with God.12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without the law: and as many as have sinned under the law shall be judged by the law;13 for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified:14 (for when Gentiles that have not the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are the law unto themselves;15 in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them);16 in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.17 But if thou bearest the name of a Jew, and restest upon the law, and gloriest in God,18 and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,19 and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness,20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth;21 thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?22 thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou rob temples?23 thou who gloriest in the law, through thy transgression of the law dishonorest thou God?24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, even as it is written.25 For circumcision indeed profiteth, if thou be a doer of the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision.26 If therefore the uncircumcision keep the ordinances of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision?27 and shall not the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law?28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh:29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.