Acts 28:17–31

¹⁷And it came to pass after three days, that he called together those who were the chief of the Jews; and when they had come together he said to them, Brethren, I having done nothing against the people or the customs of our forefathers, have been delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, ¹⁸who having examined me were minded to let me go, because there was nothing worthy of death in me. ¹⁹But the Jews speaking against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not as having anything to accuse my nation of. ²⁰For this cause therefore I have called you to me to see and to speak to you; for on account of the hope of Israel I have this chain about me. ²¹And they said to him, For our part, we have neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor has any one of the brethren who has arrived reported or said anything evil concerning thee. ²²But we beg to hear of thee what thou thinkest, for as concerning this sect it is known to us that it is everywhere spoken against.

²³And having appointed him a day many came to him to the lodging, to whom he expounded, testifying of the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from early morning to evening. ²⁴And some were persuaded of the things which were said, but some disbelieved. ²⁵And being disagreed among themselves they left; Paul having spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Spirit through Esaias the prophet to our fathers, ²⁶saying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear and not understand, and seeing ye shall see and not perceive. ²⁷For the heart of this people has become fat, and they hear heavily with their ears, and they have closed their eyes; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. ²⁸Be it known to you therefore, that this salvation of God has been sent to the nations; they also will hear it. ²⁹And he having said this, the Jews went away, having great reasoning among themselves.

³⁰And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging, and received all who came to him, ³¹preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom unhinderedly.