Acts 28

1After we had been brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.

2And the local people showed us extraordinary kindness, for they lit a fire and welcomed all of us because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold.

3But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened onto his hand.

4When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer, whom Justice has not allowed to live, though he was brought safely from the sea.”

5So he, after shaking the creature off into the fire, suffered no harm.

6But they were expecting him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and saw that nothing unusual was happening to him, they changed their minds and began saying that he was a god.

7In the area around that place there were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and hosted us courteously for three days.

8It happened that the father of Publius was lying sick with fevers and dysentery. Paul went in to him, and after praying and laying his hands on him, healed him.

9And after this happened, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.

10They also honored us greatly, and when we were setting sail, they put on board what we needed.

11After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered on the island, with the Dioscuri as its figurehead.

12And after putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

13From there, after weighing anchor, we came to Rhegium. And after one day, when a south wind came up, on the second day we came to Puteoli,

14There we found brothers, and we were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we came to Rome.

15And from there the brothers, when they heard about us, came to meet us as far as Appius Forum and Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he gave thanks to God and took courage.

16When we entered Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself with the soldier guarding him.

17It happened that after three days he called together the leading men of the Jews. And when they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.”

18who, after examining me, wanted to release me because there was no basis for the death penalty in my case.

19But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—not because I had anything to accuse my nation of.

20For this reason, therefore, I asked to see you and to speak with you, for it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.

21But they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, nor has any of the brothers who came reported or spoken anything evil about you.”

22But we consider it proper to hear from you what you think, for concerning this sect it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.

23After they had arranged a day with him, more of them came to him at his lodging. To them he was explaining, solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning until evening.

24And some were persuaded by what was being said, but others disbelieved.

25And since they were disagreeing with one another, they were leaving after Paul had said one final word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers

26saying, ‘Go to this people and say: You will indeed hear, but you will never understand; and seeing, you will indeed see, but you will never perceive.’

27For the heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they heard heavily, and they closed their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn back, and I would heal them.

28Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they also will listen.

29And when he had said these things, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.

30And he stayed for two whole years in his own rented lodging, and he welcomed all who came in to him,

31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus the Messiah with all boldness, unhindered.