Acts 28
1 When we were safe ashore, we discovered that we were on the island of Malta.
When we had escaped, then we learned that the island was called Malta.
2 The people there were very kind—they started a fire and called all of us over so we could warm up from the rain and the cold.
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.
3 Paul collected a bundle of firewood and threw it on the fire. But a poisonous snake was driven out of the bundle because of the heat and bit him, fastening itself on his hand.
But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and placed them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4 When the people there saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer. Even though he escaped death from the sea, Justice won't let him live.”
When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live."
5 However, Paul shook the snake off into the fire, and suffered no ill-effects.
However he shook off the creature into the fire, and was not harmed.
6 They were expecting him to swell up, or suddenly fall down dead. But after waiting a long time, they saw that nothing bad had happened to him so they changed their minds and decided he must be a god.
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.
7 Nearby were lands that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and looked after us for three days very hospitably.
Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief official of the island, named Publius, who received us, and courteously entertained us for three days.
8 Now Publius' father was sick, lying in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and prayed for him, placed his hands on him, and healed him.
It happened that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.
9 After this happened, everyone else who was sick on the island came and was healed.
Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came, and were cured.
10 They presented us with many gifts, and when we had to sail they provided everything we needed for the voyage.
They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.
11 After a three month stay we set sail aboard a ship from Alexandria having a figurehead of the Heavenly Twins that had spent the winter at the island.
After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was "The Twin Brothers."
12 We stopped at Syracuse, and spent three days there.
Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.
13 From there we sailed on to Rhegium. The following day a south wind blew, and on the second day we arrived at the port of Puteoli,
From there we cast off and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli,
14 where we discovered some believers. They asked us to stay with them for a week. So we came to Rome.
where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.
15 When some of the believers from Rome heard we had arrived they came to meet us at the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he was thankful to God and much encouraged.
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.
16 When we entered Rome, Paul was permitted to stay under house arrest with a soldier to guard him.
When we entered into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
17 Three days later Paul invited the Jewish leaders there to come to see him. When they were all together he told them, “Brothers, even though I had not done anything wrong against the people or the customs of our forefathers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman authorities.
It happened that after three days he called together those who were the Jewish leaders. 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,
18 After they had interrogated me they wanted to release me because I had done nothing that warranted execution.
who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.
19 But the Jewish leaders opposed this, so I was forced to appeal to Caesar—not that I had any accusations against my own people.
But when the Jews spoke against it, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.
20 That's why I asked to see you, and talk to you, because it is on account of the hope of Israel that I am chained up like this.”
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."
21 “We have not received any letters from Judea about you, and none of our people have come here with reports against you or to speak badly of you,” they told him.
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.
22 “But we do want to hear from you what you believe—especially regarding this sect, which we know is condemned everywhere.”
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."
23 They made an appointment to meet with him. On that day many people came to where he was staying. From morning till night Paul was explaining to them, telling them about the kingdom of God. He tried to convince them about Jesus using the writings of the law of Moses and the prophets.
When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.
24 Some accepted what Paul said, but some refused to believe.
Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25 They couldn't agree among themselves, and they left after Paul told them this: “The Holy Spirit said it well through Isaiah the prophet to your forefathers,
When they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah, the prophet, to your fathers,
26 ‘Go to these people and tell them: Even though you hear, you won't ever understand, and even though you see, you won't ever comprehend.
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.
27 For the minds of these people have become calloused and hard, their ears cannot hear, their eyes are shut, in case they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and understand with their minds, and might come back to me and I would heal them.’
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, and I would heal them.'
28 Consequently you should know that this salvation that comes from God has been sent to the foreigners and they will listen.”
"Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations. They will also listen."
And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.
30 For two full years Paul stayed there in the house he rented, welcoming everyone who came to see him.
And Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who were coming to him,
31 He spoke of the kingdom of God, and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ very boldly. No one prevented him.
proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
