| 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 hath escaped from the sea, yet Justice hath not suffered to live. |
| 5 | Howbeit 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: unto 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 thence 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 thence 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 unto 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 spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had aught 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 unto him, We neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of thee. |
| 22 | But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: 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 spake the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers, |
| 26 | saying, Go thou unto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye 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 unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto 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 unto him, |
| 31 | preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him. |
