Acts 28
1
And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita.
2
And the barbarians showed us no common kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received
us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
3
But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came
out by reason of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4
And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] creature hanging from his hand, they said
one to another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from
the sea, yet Justice has not suffered to live.
5
Nevertheless he shook off the creature into the fire, and took no harm.
6
But they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but when
they were long in expectation and beheld nothing amiss came to him, they changed their
minds, and said that he was a god.
7
Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the
island, named Publius, who received us, and entertained us three days courteously.
8
And it was so, that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery: to whom
Paul entered in, and prayed, and laying his hands on him healed him.
9
And when this was done, the rest also that had diseases in the island came, and were
cured:
10
who also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things
as we needed.
11
And after three months we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the
island, whose sign was The Twin Brothers.
12
And touching at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
13
And 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;
14
where we found brethren, and were entreated to tarry with them seven days: and so
we came to Rome.
15
And from there the brethren, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The
Market of Appius and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took
courage.
16
And when we entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the soldier
that guarded him.
17
And it came to pass, that after three days he called together those that were the
chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said to them, I, brethren,
though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was
delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans:
18
who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no
cause of death in me.
19
But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar; not that
I had anything whereof to accuse my nation.
20
For this cause therefore did I entreat you to see and to speak with [me]: for because
of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
21
And they said to him, We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did
any of the brethren come here and report or speak any harm of you.
22
But we desire to hear of you what you think: for as concerning this sect, it is known
to us that everywhere it is spoken against.
23
And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great
number; to whom he expounded [the matter,] testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading
them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning
till evening.
24
And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25
And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed after that Paul had spoken
one word, Well spoke the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,
26
saying, Go you to this people, and say, By hearing you shall hear, and shall in no
wise understand; And seeing you shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:
27
For this people`s heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their
eyes they have closed; Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear
with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should
heal them.
28
Be it known therefore to you, that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles:
they will also hear.
29
[And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much disputing among
themselves.]
30
And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went
in to him,
31
preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ
with all boldness, none forbidding him.