When athey had been brought safely
through
, bthen
we found
out that cthe island
was called
1Malta
.
aThe 1natives showed
us extraordinary
kindness
; for because
of the rain
that had set
in and because
of the cold
, they kindled
a fire
and breceived
us all
.
But 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
.
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
."
However ahe shook
the creature
off
into the fire
and suffered
no
harm
.
But they were expecting that he was about
to swell
up or
suddenly
fall
down
dead
. But after they had waited
a long
time and had seen
nothing
unusual
happen
to him, they changed
their minds
and abegan to say
that he was a god
.
Now in the neighborhood
of that place
were lands
belonging to the leading
man
of the island
, named
Publius
, who
welcomed
us and entertained
us courteously
three
days
.
And it happened that the father
of Publius
was lying
in bed afflicted
with recurrent fever
and dysentery
; and Paul
went
in to see him and after he had aprayed
, he blaid
his hands
on him and healed
him.
After this had happened
, the rest
of the people on the island
who had
diseases
were coming
to him and getting
cured
.
They also honored us with many
1marks
of respect
; and when we were setting
sail
, they 2supplied
us with 3all
we needed
.
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
.
After we put in at Syracuse
, we stayed
there for three
days
.
From there we sailed
around
and arrived
at Rhegium
, and a day
later
a south
wind
sprang
up, and on the second
day
we came
to Puteoli
.
1There we found
some abrethren
, and were invited
to stay
with them for seven
days
; and thus
we came
to Rome
.
And the abrethren, when they heard
about
us, came
from there
as far
as the 1Market
of Appius
and 2Three
Inns
to meet
us; and when Paul
saw
them, he thanked
God
and took
courage
.
When we entered
Rome
, Paul
was aallowed
to stay
by himself
, with the soldier
who was guarding
him.
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, " bBrethren
, 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
.
"And when they had aexamined me, they bwere willing
to release
me because
there was cno
ground
1for putting me to death
.
"But when the Jews 1objected
, I was forced
to aappeal
to Caesar
, not that I had
any
accusation
against
my nation
.
"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
."
They said to him, "We have neither
received
letters
from Judea
concerning
you, nor
have any
of athe brethren
come
here
and reported
or
spoken
anything
bad
about
you.
"But we desire to hear
from you what
1your views
are; for concerning
this
asect
, it is known
to us that bit is spoken
against
everywhere
."
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
btestifying
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
.
aSome were being persuaded
by the things
spoken
, but others
would
not believe
.
And when they did not agree with one
another
, they began leaving
after Paul
had spoken
one
parting word
, "The Holy
Spirit
rightly
spoke
through
Isaiah
the prophet
to your fathers
,
saying, ` 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
;
aFOR THE HEART OF THIS
PEOPLE
HAS BECOME
DULL
, AND WITH THEIR EARS
THEY SCARCELY
HEAR
, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED
THEIR EYES
; OTHERWISE
THEY MIGHT SEE
WITH THEIR EYES
, AND HEAR
WITH THEIR EARS
, AND UNDERSTAND
WITH THEIR HEART
AND RETURN
, AND I WOULD HEAL
THEM."'
"Therefore let it be known
to you that athis
salvation
of God
has been sent
bto the Gentiles
; they will also
listen
."
[ 1When he had spoken these
words, the Jews
departed
, having
a great
dispute
among
themselves
.]
And he stayed two
full
years
1in his own
rented
quarters
and was welcoming
all
who came
to him,
1 apreaching the kingdom
of God
and teaching
concerning
the Lord
Jesus
Christ
bwith all
openness
, unhindered
.