Acts 28

1 When we had escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta.

And when we were safe, we made the discovery that the island was named Melita.

2 The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present rain and because of the cold.

And the simple people living there were uncommonly kind to us, for they made a fire for us, and took us in, because it was raining and cold.

3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.

But when Paul had got some sticks together and put them on the fire, a snake came out, because of the heat, and gave him a bite on the hand.

4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.”

And when the people saw it hanging on his hand, they said to one another, Without doubt this man has put someone to death, and though he has got safely away from the sea, God will not let him go on living.

5 However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed.

But shaking off the beast into the fire, he got no damage.

6 But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

But they had the idea that they would see him becoming ill, or suddenly falling down dead; but after waiting a long time, and seeing that no damage came to him, changing their opinion, they said 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 courteously entertained us for three days.

Now near that place there was some land, the property of the chief man of the island, who was named Publius; who very kindly took us into his house as his guests for three days.

8 The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.

And the father of Publius was ill, with a disease of the stomach; to whom Paul went, and put his hands on him, with prayer, and made him well.

9 Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came and were cured.

And when this took place, all the others in the island who had diseases came and were made well.

10 They also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.

Then they gave us great honour, and, when we went away, they put into the ship whatever things we were in need of.

11 After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose figurehead was “The Twin Brothers.”

And after three months we went to sea in a ship of Alexandria sailing under the sign of the Dioscuri, which had been at the island for the winter.

12 Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

And going into the harbour at Syracuse, we were waiting there for three days.

13 From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli,

And from there, going about in a curve, we came to Rhegium: and after one day a south wind came up and on the day after we came to Puteoli:

14 where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.

Where we came across some of the brothers, who kept us with them for seven days; and so we came to Rome.

15 From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

And the brothers, when they had news of us, came out from town as far as Appii Forum and the Three Taverns to have a meeting with us: and Paul, seeing them, gave praise to God and took heart.

16 When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

And when we came into Rome, they let Paul have a house for himself and the armed man who kept watch over him.

17 After three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,

Then after three days he sent for the chief men of the Jews: and when they had come together, he said to them, My brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the ways of our fathers, I was given, a prisoner from Jerusalem, into the hands of the Romans.

18 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.

Who, when they had put questions to me, were ready to let me go free, because there was no cause of death in me.

19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.

But when the Jews made protest against it, I had to put my cause into Caesar's hands; not because I have anything to say against my nation.

20 For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

But for this reason I sent for you, to see and have talk with you: for because of the hope of Israel I am in these chains.

21 They said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you.

And they said to him, We have not had letters from Judaea about you, and no one of the brothers has come to us here to give an account or say any evil about you.

22 But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”

But we have a desire to give hearing to your opinion: for as to this form of religion, we have knowledge that in all places it is attacked.

23 When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.

And when a day had been fixed, they came to his house in great numbers; and he gave them teaching, giving witness to the kingdom of God, and having discussions with them about Jesus, from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening.

24 Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

And some were in agreement with what he said, but some had doubts.

25 When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one message: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,

And they went away, for there was a division among them after Paul had said this one thing: Well did the Holy Spirit say by the prophet Isaiah to your fathers,

26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say, in hearing, you will hear, but will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see, but will in no way perceive.

Go to this people and say, Though you give ear, you will not get knowledge; and seeing, you will see, but the sense will not be clear to you:

27 For this people’s heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, then I would heal them.’

For the heart of this people has become fat and their ears are slow in hearing and their eyes are shut; for fear that they might see with their eyes and give hearing with their ears and become wise in their hearts and be turned again to me, so that I might make them well.

28 “Be it known therefore to you that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will listen.”

Be certain, then, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will give hearing.

29 When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.

30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who were coming to him,

And for the space of two years, Paul was living in the house of which he had the use, and had talk with all those who went in to see him,

31 preaching God’s Kingdom and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ without fear, and no orders were given that he was not to do so.