Acts 28
1 And when we were safe, we made the discovery that the island was named Melita.
And when we had escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita. But the barbarians shewed us no small courtesy.
2 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.
For kindling a fire, they refreshed us all, because of the present rain, and of the cold.
3 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.
And when Paul had gathered together a bundle of sticks, and had laid them on the fire, a viper coming out of the heat, fastened on his hand.
4 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.
And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging on his hand, they said one to another: Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, who though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance doth not suffer him to live.
5 But shaking off the beast into the fire, he got no damage.
And he indeed shaking off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm.
6 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.
But they supposed that he would begin to swell up, and that he would suddenly fall down and die. But expecting long, and seeing that there came no harm to him, changing their minds, they said, that he was a god.
7 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.
Now in these places were possessions of the chief man of the island, named Publius, who receiving us, for three days entertained us courteously.
8 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.
And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever, and of a bloody flux. To whom Paul entered in; and when he had prayed, and laid his hands on him, he healed him.
9 And when this took place, all the others in the island who had diseases came and were made well.
Which being done, all that had diseases in the island, came and were healed:
10 Then they gave us great honour, and, when we went away, they put into the ship whatever things we were in need of.
Who also honoured us with many honours, and when we were to set sail, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
11 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.
And after three months, we sailed in a ship of Alexandria, that had wintered in the island, whose sign was the Castors.
12 And going into the harbour at Syracuse, we were waiting there for three days.
And when we were come to Syracusa, we tarried there three days.
13 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:
From thence, compassing by the shore, we came to Rhegium: and after one day, the south wind blowing, we came the second day to Puteoli;
14 Where we came across some of the brothers, who kept us with them for seven days; and so we came to Rome.
Where, finding brethren, we were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went to Rome.
15 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.
And from thence, when the brethren had heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and the Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to God, and took courage.
16 And when we came into Rome, they let Paul have a house for himself and the armed man who kept watch over him.
And when we were come to Rome, Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kept him.
17 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.
And after the third day, he called together the chief of the Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them: Men, brethren, I, having done nothing against the people, or the custom of our fathers, was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans;
18 Who, when they had put questions to me, were ready to let me go free, because there was no cause of death in me.
Who, when they had examined me, would have released me, for that there was no cause of death in me;
19 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.
But the Jews contradicting it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had any thing to accuse my nation of.
20 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.
For this cause therefore I desired to see you, and to speak to you. Because that for the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain.
21 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.
But they said to him: We neither received letters concerning thee from Judea, neither did any of the brethren that came hither, relate or speak any evil of thee.
22 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.
But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, we know that it is every where contradicted.
23 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.
And when they had appointed him a day, there came very many to him unto his lodgings; to whom he expounded, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, out of the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning until evening.
24 And some were in agreement with what he said, but some had doubts.
And some believed the things that were said; but some believed not.
25 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,
And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, Paul speaking this one word: Well did the Holy Ghost speak to our fathers by Isaias the prophet,
26 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:
Saying: Go to this people, and say to them: With the ear you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive.
27 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.
For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears have they heard heavily, and their eyes they have shut; lest perhaps they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
28 Be certain, then, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will give hearing.
Be it known therefore to you, that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.
And when he had said these things, the Jews went out from him, having much reasoning among themselves.
30 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,
And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging; and he received all that came in to him,
31 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.
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, without prohibition.
