Chapter 28

Safe at Malta

1 When athey had been brought safely through, bthen we found out that cthe island was called 1Malta.

2 aThe 1natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and breceived us all.

3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out 1because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.

4 When athe 1natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “bUndoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, 2justice has not allowed him to live.”

5 However ahe shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

6 But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and abegan to say that he was a god.

7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days.

8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had aprayed, he blaid his hands on him and healed him.

9 After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured.

10 They also honored us with many 1marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they 2supplied us with 3all we needed.

Paul Arrives at Rome

11 At the end of three months we set sail on aan Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had 1the Twin Brothers for its figurehead.

12 After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.

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

14 1There we found some abrethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome.

15 And the abrethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the 1Market of Appius and 2Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16 When we entered Rome, Paul was aallowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

17 After three days 1Paul called together those who were athe leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “bBrethren, cthough I had done nothing against our people or dthe customs of our 2fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

18 “And when they had aexamined me, they bwere willing to release me because there was cno ground 1for putting me to death.

19 “But when the Jews 1objected, I was forced to aappeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation.

20 “For this reason, therefore, I 1requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing athis chain for bthe sake of the hope of Israel.”

21 They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of athe brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you.

22 “But we desire to hear from you what 1your views are; for concerning this asect, it is known to us that bit is spoken against everywhere.”

23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at ahis lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly btestifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, cfrom both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.

24 aSome were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.

25 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,

26 saying,

‘aGo to this people and say,

“1bYou will keep on hearing, 2but will not understand;

And 3you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;

27 aFor the heart of this people has become dull,

And with their ears they scarcely hear,

And they have closed their eyes;

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

And hear with their ears,

And understand with their heart and return,

And I would heal them.” ’

28 “Therefore let it be known to you that athis salvation of God has been sent bto the Gentiles; they will also listen.”

29 [1When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]

30 And he stayed two full years 1in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him,

31 1apreaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ bwith all openness, unhindered.