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The Acts 28

28
Paul on the Island of Malta
1When we were safe on land, we learned that the island was called Malta. 2It was raining and very cold. But the people who lived there were very good to us. They made us a fire and welcomed all of us. 3Paul gathered a pile of sticks for the fire. He was putting them on the fire when a poisonous snake came out because of the heat and bit him on the hand. 4The people living on the island saw the snake hanging from Paul’s hand. They said to each other, “This man must be a murderer! He did not die in the sea, but Justice# The people thought there was a god named Justice who would punish bad people. does not want him to live.” 5But Paul shook the snake off into the fire. He was not hurt. 6The people thought that Paul would swell up or fall down dead. The people waited and watched him for a long time, but nothing bad happened to him. So they changed their minds about Paul. Now they said, “He is a god!”
7There were some fields around there owned by a very important man on the island. His name was Publius. He welcomed us into his home and was very good to us. We stayed in his house for three days. 8Publius’ father was very sick with a fever and dysentery.# A sickness like diarrhea. But Paul went to him and prayed. Then he put his hands on the man and healed him. 9After this, all the other sick people on the island came to Paul, and he healed them, too. 10-11The people on the island gave us many honors. We stayed there three months. When we were ready to leave, they gave us the things we needed.
Paul Goes to Rome
We got on a ship from Alexandria. The ship had stayed on the island during the winter. On the front of the ship was the sign of the twin gods.# Statues of Castor and Pollux, gods in old Greek tales. 12We stopped at Syracuse for three days and then left. 13From there we sailed to Rhegium. The next day a wind began to blow from the southwest, so we were able to leave. A day later we came to Puteoli. 14We found some believers there, and they asked us to stay with them for a week. Finally, we came to Rome. 15The believers in Rome heard that we were there. They came out as far as the Market of Appius# A town about 40 miles from Rome. and the Three Inns# A town about 30 miles from Rome. to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.
Paul in Rome
16Then we arrived at Rome. There, Paul was allowed to live alone. But a soldier stayed with him to guard him.
17Three days later Paul sent for the Jewish leaders there. When they came together, he said, “Brothers, I have done nothing against our people. I have done nothing against the customs of our fathers. But I was arrested in Jerusalem and given to the Romans. 18The Romans asked me many questions. But they could find no reason why I should be killed. They wanted to let me go free, 19but the Jews there did not want that. So I had to ask to come to Rome to have my trial before Caesar. But I have no charge to bring against my own people. 20That is why I wanted to see you and talk with you. I am bound with this chain because I believe in the hope of Israel.”
21The Jews answered Paul, “We have received no letters from Judea about you. None of our Jewish brothers who have come from there brought news about you or told us anything bad about you. 22We want to hear your ideas. We know that people everywhere are speaking against this religious group.”
23Paul and the Jews chose a day for a meeting. On that day many more of the Jews met with Paul at the place he was staying. Paul spoke to them all day long, explaining the kingdom of God to them. He tried to persuade them to believe these things about Jesus. He used the law of Moses and the writings of the prophets to do this. 24Some of the Jews believed what Paul said, but others did not. 25So they argued, and the Jews were ready to leave. But Paul said one more thing to them: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet. He said,
26‘Go to this people and say:
You will listen and listen, but you will not understand.
You will look and look, but you will not learn.
27For these people have become stubborn.
They don’t hear with their ears.
And they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise, they might really understand
what they see with their eyes
and hear with their ears.
They might really understand in their minds.
If they did this, they would come back to me and be forgiven.’ Isaiah 6:9-10
28“I want you Jews to know that God has also sent his salvation to the non-Jewish people. They will listen!” 29[After Paul said this, the Jews left. They were arguing very much with each other.]# Some Greek copies do not contain the bracketed text.
30Paul stayed two full years in his own rented house. He welcomed all people who came and visited him. 31He preached about the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. He was very bold, and no one stopped him.
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The Acts 28: ICB

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