| 1 | And when they were escaped , then they knew that the island was called Melita . |
| 2 | And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness : for they kindled a fire , and received us every one , because of the present rain , and because of the cold . |
| 3 | And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks , and laid [them] on the fire , there came a viper out of the heat , and fastened on his hand . |
| 4 | And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand , they said among themselves , No doubt this man is a murderer , whom , though he hath escaped the sea , yet vengeance suffereth not to live . |
| 5 | And he shook off the beast into the fire , and felt no harm . |
| 6 | Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen , or fallen down 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 lodged us three days courteously . |
| 8 | And it came to pass , that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux : to whom Paul entered in , and prayed , and laid his hands on him , and healed him . |
| 9 | So when this was done , others also , which had diseases in the island , came , and were healed : |
| 10 | Who also honoured us with many honours ; and when we departed , they laded [us] with such things as were necessary . |
| 11 | And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria , which had wintered in the isle , whose sign was Castor and Pollux . |
| 12 | And landing at Syracuse , we tarried [there] three days . |
| 13 | And from thence 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 were desired to tarry with them seven days : and so we went toward Rome . |
| 15 | And from thence , when the brethren heard of us , they came to meet us as far as Appii forum , and The three taverns : whom when Paul saw , 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 suffered 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 unto them , Men [and] brethren , though I have committed nothing against the people , or customs of our fathers , yet was I delivered 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 spake against [it], I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar ; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of . |
| 20 | For this cause therefore have I called for you , to see [you], and to speak with [you]: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain . |
| 21 | And they said unto him , We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee , neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee . |
| 22 | But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest : for as concerning this sect , we know that every where it is spoken against . |
| 23 | And when they had appointed him a day , 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 , and some believed not . |
| 25 | And when they agreed not among themselves , they departed , after that Paul had spoken one word , Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers , |
| 26 | Saying , Go unto this people , and say , Hearing ye shall hear , and shall not understand ; and seeing ye shall see , and not perceive : |
| 27 | For the heart of this 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 . |
| 28 | Be it known therefore unto you , that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles , and [that] they will hear it . |
| 29 | And when he had said these words , the Jews departed , and had great reasoning among themselves . |
| 30 | And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house , and received all that came in unto him , |
| 31 | Preaching the kingdom of God , and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ , with all confidence , no man forbidding him . |
