And when ^athey had been brought safely through to shore, ^bthen we learned that ^cthe island was called ¹Malta. 2 ^aAnd the ¹natives showed us extraordinary affection; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and ^breceived us all. 3 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. 4 And 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.” 5 However ^ahe shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 But they were waiting for him to soon swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, changing their minds, they ^abegan to say that he was a god.

7 Now in the areas around that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying afflicted with fever and dysentery; and Paul, going to see him and having ^aprayed, ^blaid his hands on him and healed him. 9 And after this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being healed. 10 They also bestowed on us many honors of respect; and when we were setting sail, they ¹supplied us with ²all we needed.

11 Now 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. 12 After we put into Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and after a day when a south wind sprang up, on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 ¹There we found some ^abrothers, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome. 15 And the ^abrothers, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the ¹Market of Appius and ²Three Inns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16 And when we entered Rome, Paul was ^aallowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

17 And it happened that 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, “^bBrothers, ^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. 18 And when they had ^aexamined me, they ^bwere willing to release me because there was ^cno ground ¹for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews ¹objected, I was forced to ^aappeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 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.” 21 And they said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of ^athe brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this ^asect, it is known to us that ^bit is spoken against everywhere.”

23 And 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 ^bbearing witness 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. 24 ^aAnd some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others were not believing. 25 And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying,‘^aGO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY,“^1bYOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, ²BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;AND ³YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;

28 Therefore let it be known to you that ^athis salvation of God was sent ^bto the Gentiles—they will also hear.” 29 ¹[When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]

30 And he stayed two full years ¹in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 ^1apreaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ ^bwith all confidence, unhindered.

When ^athey had been brought safely through, ^bthen we found out that ^cthe island was called ¹Malta. 2 ^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. 3 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. 4 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.” 5 However ^ahe shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 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.

7 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. 8 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. 9 After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured. 10 They also honored us with many ¹marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they ²supplied us with ³all we needed.

11 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. 12 After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 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. 14 ¹There we found some ^abrethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome. 15 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.

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

17 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. 18 And when they had ^aexamined me, they ^bwere willing to release me because there was ^cno ground ¹for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews ¹objected, I was forced to ^aappeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 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.” 21 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. 22 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.”

23 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. 24 ^aSome were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe. 25 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, 26 saying,‘^aGO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY,“^1bYOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, ²BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;AND ³YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;

28 Therefore let it be known to you that ^athis salvation of God has been sent ^bto the Gentiles; they will also listen.” 29 ¹[When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]

30 And he stayed two full years ¹in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 ^1apreaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ ^bwith all openness, unhindered.

After ^awe were safe on land, ^bwe found out that ^cthe island was called ¹Malta. 2 And ^athe ¹natives showed us extraordinary kindness and hospitality; for they kindled a fire and ^bwelcomed us all, since it had begun to rain and was cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a ¹viper crawled out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When ^athe natives 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, Justice the avenging goddess has not permitted him to live.” 5 Then ^aPaul simply shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 But they stood watching and expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and ^abegan saying that he was a god.

7 In the vicinity of that place there were estates belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was sick in bed with recurring attacks of fever and dysentery; and Paul went to him, and after he had ^aprayed, he ^blaid his hands on him and healed him. 9 After this occurred, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being healed. 10 They also gave us many honors gifts and courtesies expressing respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all the things we needed.

11 At the end of three months we set sail on a ship which had wintered at the island, ^aan Alexandrian ship with the ¹Twin Brothers Castor and Pollux as its figurehead. 12 We landed at Syracuse on Sicily and stayed there three days. 13 From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium on Italy’s southern tip; and a day later a south wind came up, and on the second day we arrived at ¹Puteoli. 14 There we found some ^abelievers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And the ^abrothers and sisters, having heard news about us, came from as far away as the ¹Forum of Appius and ²Three Inns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and was encouraged.

16 When we entered Rome, Paul was ^aallowed to stay by himself in rented quarters with the soldier who was guarding him.

17 Three days later he called together ^athe leaders of the Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, “^bKinsmen, ^cthough I have done nothing against our people or against ^dthe customs of our fathers, yet I was turned over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 After they had ^ainterrogated me, they ^bwere ready to release me because I was ^cnot guilty of any offense deserving death. 19 But when the Jews objected to my release, I was forced to ^aappeal to Caesar (Emperor Nero) , not because I had any charge to make against my nation. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you, since it is ^afor the sake of the hope of Israel (the Messiah, the resurrection) that I am bound with ^bthis chain.” 21 They said to him, “We have not received any letters about you from Judea, nor have any of ^athe Jewish brothers come here and reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we would like to hear from you what your views are that is, exactly what you believe; for in regard to this ^asect (Christianity) , we are fully aware that ^bit is denounced everywhere.”

23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to ^ahis lodging in large numbers. And he carefully explained Christianity to them from morning until evening, solemnly ^btestifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, ^cboth from the Law of Moses and from the writings of the Prophets. 24 ^aSome were persuaded by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and they began to leave after Paul had made one last statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying, 26 ‘^aGO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY,“^bYOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND,YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;

28 Therefore let it be known to you that this message of ^athe salvation of God has been sent ^bto the Gentiles; they indeed will listen!” Ps 67:2 29 [¹And when he had said these things, the Jews left, arguing among themselves.]

30 And Paul lived there for two full years at his own expense in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him, 31 ^apreaching and proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ ^bwith all openness and boldness, unhindered and unrestrained.