Acts 28

1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

When we were safe ashore, we discovered that we were on the island of Malta.

2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

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.

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

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.

4 And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

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.”

5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

However, Paul shook the snake off into the fire, and suffered no ill-effects.

6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

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.

7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

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.

8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

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.

9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

After this happened, everyone else who was sick on the island came and was healed.

10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded [us] with such things as were necessary.

They presented us with many gifts, and when we had to sail they provided everything we needed for the voyage.

11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

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.

12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried [there] three days.

We stopped at Syracuse, and spent three days there.

13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

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,

14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

where we discovered some believers. They asked us to stay with them for a week. So we came to Rome.

15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

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.

16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

When we entered Rome, Paul was permitted to stay under house arrest with a soldier to guard him.

17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men [and] brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

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.

18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let [me] go, because there was no cause of death in me.

After they had interrogated me they wanted to release me because I had done nothing that warranted execution.

19 But when the Jews spake against [it], I was constrained to appeal unto Cæsar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

But the Jewish leaders opposed this, so I was forced to appeal to Caesar—not that I had any accusations against my own people.

20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see [you], and to speak with [you]: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

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.”

21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judæa concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

“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.

22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

“But we do want to hear from you what you believe—especially regarding this sect, which we know is condemned everywhere.”

23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and [out of] the prophets, from morning till evening.

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.

24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

Some accepted what Paul said, but some refused to believe.

25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

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,

26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

‘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.

27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest 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.

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.’

28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and [that] they will hear it.

Consequently you should know that this salvation that comes from God has been sent to the foreigners and they will listen.”

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

For two full years Paul stayed there in the house he rented, welcoming everyone who came to see him.

31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

He spoke of the kingdom of God, and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ very boldly. No one prevented him.