Acts 28:17–31

Paul’s Ministry in Rome

¹⁷And it happened that 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, “^bBrothers, ^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.”

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

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

²³And 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 ^bbearing witness 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.

^24aAnd some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others were not believing.

²⁵And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,

²⁶saying,

‘^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;

^27aFor the heart of this people has become dull,

And with their ears they scarcely hear,

And they have closed their eyes;

Lest they might see with their eyes,

And hear with their ears,

And understand with their heart and return,

And I heal them.” ’

²⁸“Therefore let it be known to you that ^athis salvation of God was sent ^bto the Gentiles—they will also hear.”

²⁹¹[When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]

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

^311apreaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ ^bwith all confidence, unhindered.