Acts 28
28
1After we had escaped, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2And the natives showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, when a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” 5He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6They waited, expecting him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead; but when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery; and Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him. 9And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10They presented many gifts to us;#28.10 Or honored us with many honors and when we sailed, they put on board whatever we needed.
11After three months we set sail in a ship which had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the Twin Brothers as figurehead. 12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium; and after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14There we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15And the brethren there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them Paul thanked God and took courage. 16And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him.
17After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brethren, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” 21And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brethren coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in great numbers. And he expounded the matter to them from morning till evening, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. 24And some were convinced by what he said, while others disbelieved. 25So, as they disagreed among themselves, they departed, after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26 #
Is 6.9-10. ‘Go to this people, and say,
You shall indeed hear but never understand,
and you shall indeed see but never perceive.
27For this people's heart has grown dull,
and their ears are heavy of hearing,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should perceive with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and understand with their heart,
and turn for me to heal them.’
28 #
Ps 67.2. Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” 29#28.29 Other ancient authorities add verse 29, And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, holding much dispute among themselves
30And he lived there two whole years at his own expense,#28.30 Or in his own hired dwelling and welcomed all who came to him, 31preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered.
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Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America
Acts 28
28
Acts 28
1¶ And when they were escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita. {or Malta}
2And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness; for they kindled a great fire and received all of us because of the present rain and because of the cold.
3And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet vengeance does not suffer him to live.
5And he shook off the beast into the fire and felt no harm.
6But they were waiting to see when he should have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly; but after they had waited a great while and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7In the same quarters were possessions of a principal man of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and lodged us three days courteously.
8And it came to pass that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of dysentery, to whom Paul entered in and prayed and laid his hands on him and healed him.
9So when this was done, others also, who had diseases in the island, came and were healed,
10who also honoured us with many gifts; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
11¶ And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose ensign was Castor and Pollux.
12And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
13And having gone around, we came to Rhegium, and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli,
14where we found brethren, who asked us to tarry with them seven days, and so we went toward Rome.
15And from there, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and The Three Taverns whom when Paul saw, he thanked God and took courage.
16And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the praetorian prefect, but Paul was allowed to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
17¶ And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the principals of the Jews together, and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18who, when they had examined me, would have let me go because there was no cause of death in me.
19But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar, not that I had anything to accuse my nation of.
20For this cause therefore I have called for you, to see you and to speak with you: because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
21And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spoke any harm of thee.
22But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against.
23¶ And when they had appointed him a day, many came to him into his lodging, to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, procuring to persuade them of that concerning Jesus, the Christ, out of the law of Moses and out of the prophets, from morning until evening.
24And some believed the things which were spoken, and some did not believe.
25And when they did not agree among themselves, they departed, after Paul had spoken this word, Well spoke the Holy Spirit by Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers,
26saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see and not perceive;
27for the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and should be converted and I should heal them.
28Be it known, therefore, unto you that this saving health of God is sent unto the Gentiles and that they will hear it.
29And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.
30¶ And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house and received all that came in unto him,
31preaching the kingdom of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all liberty, without hindrance.
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The Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB) by Ransom Press International