Acts 28:17–31

¹⁷And it came to pass after three days, Paul called together those who are the principal men of the Jews, and they having come together, he said unto them: ‘Men, brethren, I—having done nothing contrary to the people, or to the customs of the fathers—a prisoner from Jerusalem, was delivered up to the hands of the Romans; ¹⁸who, having examined me, were wishing to release me, because of there being no cause of death in me, ¹⁹and the Jews having spoken against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar—not as having anything to accuse my nation of; ²⁰for this cause, therefore, I called for you to see and to speak with you, for because of the hope of Israel with this chain I am bound.’ ²¹And they said unto him, ‘We did neither receive letters concerning thee from Judea, nor did any one who came of the brethren declare or speak any evil concerning thee, ²²and we think it good from thee to hear what thou dost think, for, indeed, concerning this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against;’

²³And having appointed him a day, they came, more of them unto him, to the lodging, to whom he was expounding, testifying fully the reign of God, persuading them also of the things concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses, and the prophets, from morning till evening, ²⁴and, some, indeed, were believing the things spoken, and some were not believing. ²⁵And not being agreed with one another, they were going away, Paul having spoken one word—‘Well did the Holy Spirit speak through Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers, ²⁶saying, Go on unto this people and say, With hearing ye shall hear, and ye shall not understand, and seeing ye shall see, and ye shall not perceive, ²⁷for made gross was the heart of this people, and with the ears they heard heavily, and their eyes they did close, lest they may see with the eyes, and with the heart may understand, and be turned back, and I may heal them.

²⁸‘Be it known, therefore, to you, that to the nations was sent the salvation of God, these also will hear it;’ ²⁹and he having said these things, the Jews went away, having much disputation among themselves.

³⁰And Paul remained an entire two years in his own hired house, and was receiving all those coming in unto him, ³¹preaching the reign of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness—unforbidden.

Chapter 1