Acts 28:17–31

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

¹⁷Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.^x When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers,^y although I have done nothing against our people^z or against the customs of our ancestors,^a I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. ¹⁸They examined me^b and wanted to release me,^c because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.^{d 19}The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar.^e I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. ²⁰For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel^f that I am bound with this chain.”^g

²¹They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people^h who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. ²²But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”ⁱ

²³They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God,^j and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets^k he tried to persuade them about Jesus.^{l 24}Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.^{m 25}They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he saidⁿ through Isaiah the prophet:

²⁶“ ‘Go to this people and say,

“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;

you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”

²⁷For this people’s heart has become calloused;^o

they hardly hear with their ears,

and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

hear with their ears,

understand with their hearts

and turn, and I would heal them.’^ap

²⁸“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation^q has been sent to the Gentiles,^r and they will listen!” ^[29]b

³⁰For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. ³¹He proclaimed the kingdom of God^s and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness^t and without hindrance!