Acts 28

 

1 And when they had escaped, then they recognized that the island (they landed at) was called Melita.

2 And the native people showed us more than a little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the rain, and the cold.

3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a serpent out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

4 And when the natives saw the venomous snake hanging on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow (him) to live.

 

5 And he shook off the creature into the fire and felt no harm (from it).

6 But they looked at him when he should have swollen or fallen dead suddenly, but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us and boarded us three days hospitably.

8 And it came to pass that the father of Publius lay sick with a fever and dysentery: to whom Paul came, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

9 So when this was done, (many) others also, who had diseases on the island, came, and were healed:

10 Who also showered us with many honors, and when we departed, they supplied us with such things as were necessary.

11 And after three months, we departed on a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the island, whose sign displayed Castor and Pollux.

12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

13 And from there we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

14 Where we found brethren, and we desired to stay with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

15 And from there, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii market, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw (the brethren), he thanked God and took courage.

16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: 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 chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said to them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

19 But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar; not that I had anything to accuse my nation of.

20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: it is because of the hope of Israel (the resurrection from the dead that) I am bound with these chains.

21 And they said to him, We neither received any letters from out of Judaea concerning you, nor have any arrived from brethren that reported or said anything bad about you.

22 But we desire to hear from you what you think with regard to this sect, which we know is spoken against everywhere.

23 And when they had appointed a day (to hear him), there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

 

24 And some believed the things which were spoken (by Paul), and some did not believe.

 

25 And when they did not agree among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken (this) one word, Well spoke the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,

26 Saying, Go to these people, and say, Hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and not perceive:

27 For the heart of these 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 (of their blindness).

28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, so that they will hear it.

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had great disputes among themselves.

30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in to him,

31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all boldness, no man hindering him.