Acts 28
On the Island of Malta
28And when athey had been brought safely through to shore, bthen we learned that cthe island was called 1Malta. 2aAnd the 1natives showed us extraordinary affection; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and breceived us all. 3But 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. 4And 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.” 5However ahe shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6But they were waiting for him to soon swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, changing their minds, they abegan to say that he was a god.
7Now in the areas around that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. 8And it happened that the father of Publius was lying afflicted with fever and dysentery; and Paul, going to see him and having aprayed, blaid his hands on him and healed him. 9And after this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being healed. 10They also bestowed on us many honors of respect; and when we were setting sail, they 1supplied us with 2all we needed.
Paul Arrives in Rome
11Now 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. 12After we put into Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and after a day when a south wind sprang up, on the second day we came to Puteoli. 141There we found some abrothers, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome. 15And the abrothers, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the 1Market of Appius and 2Three Inns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16And when we entered Rome, Paul was aallowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
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,“1,bYou 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.”’