Acts 28

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

And we afterwards learned, that the island was called 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 barbarians who inhabited it, showed us many kindnesses. And they kindled a fire, and called us all to warm ourselves, because of the great rain and cold at that time.

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.

And Paul took up a bundle of fagots and laid them on the fire: and a viper, driven by the heat, came out of them, and bit his 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 barbarians saw it hanging on his hand, they said: Doubtless, this man is a murderer; whom, though delivered from the sea, justice will not suffer to live.

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

But Paul shook his hand, and threw the viper into the fire: and he received no harm.

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.

And the barbarians expected, that he would suddenly swell, and fall dead on the ground. And when they had looked a long time, and saw that he received no harm; they changed their language, 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 courteously entertained us for three days.

And there were lands in that quarter, belonging to a man named Publius, who was the chief man of the island: and he cheerfully received us at his house 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 sick with a fever and dysentery. And Paul went in to him, and prayed, and laid his hand on him, and healed him.

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

And after this event, others also in the island who were sick, came to him and were healed.

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

And they honored us with great honors: and when we left the place, they supplied us with necessaries.

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 departed, sailing in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the island, and which bore the signal of the Twins.

12 Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

And we came to the city of Syracuse; and remained there 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 we made a circuit, and arrived at the city Rhegium. And, after one day, the south wind blew favorably for us, and in two days we came to Puteoli, a city of Italy.

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

And there we found brethren; and they invited us, and we remained with them seven days: and then we proceeded towards 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 brethren there, hearing of our approach, came out to meet us as far as the village called Appii Forum, and as far as the Three Taverns. And when Paul saw them, he gave thanks to God, and was encouraged.

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 we went on to Rome. And the centurion allowed Paul to reside where he pleased, with a soldier who guarded 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,

And after three days, Paul sent and called for the principal Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them: Men, my brethren, although I had in nothing risen up against the people or the law of my fathers, I was at Jerusalem delivered over in bonds to the Romans:

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

and they, when they had examined me, were disposed to release me, because they found in me no offence deserving death.

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.

And, as the Jews withstood me, I was compelled to utter an appeal to Caesar; but not because I had any thing of which to accuse the people of 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.”

For this reason I sent for you to come, that I might see you, and might state these things to you: for it is on account of the hope of Israel, that I am bound with this chain.

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.

They said to him: We have received no epistle from Judaea against thee; and none of the brethren who have come from Jerusalem, have told us any evil thing of thee.

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 are desirous to hear from thee what thou thinkest; for this doctrine, we know, is not received by any one.

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 they appointed him a day; and many assembled, and came to him at his lodgings. And he explained to them respecting the kingdom of God, testifying and persuading them concerning Jesus, out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

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

And some of them assented to his discourses, and others did not assent.

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 out from him, disagreeing among themselves. And Paul addressed to them this speech: Well did the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of Isaiah the prophet, speak concerning 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.

saying: Go unto this people, and say to them, Hearing ye will hear, and will not understand; and ye will see, and will not comprehend.

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 is stupefied, and their hearing they have made heavy, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and be converted unto me, and I should forgive them.

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

Therefore, be this known to you, that to the Gentiles is this redemption of God sent: and, moreover, they will hear it.

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

And when he had thus said, the Jews retired; and there were great disputations among them.

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

And Paul hired a house, at his own cost, and resided in it two years; and there he received all that came to him.

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

And he preached concerning the kingdom of God, and taught boldly concerning our Lord Jesus Messiah, without hinderance. Completion of the Acts of the blessed Legates; that is, their Histories.