Acts

1When we had escaped, then theylearnt that the island was called Malta.

2The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present rain and because of the cold.

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

4When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.”

5However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed.

6But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

7Now in the neighbourhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and courteously entertained us for three days.

8The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.

9Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came and were cured.

10They also honoured us with many honours; and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.

11After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose figurehead was “The Twin Brothers.”

12Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

13From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli,

14where we found brothers,and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.

15From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

17After three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. 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, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,

18who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.

19But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.

20For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

21They said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you.

22But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”

23When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.

24Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

25When they didn’t agree amongst themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one message: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,

26saying,‘Go to this people and say, in hearing, you will hear,but will in no way understand.In seeing, you will see,but will in no way perceive.

27For this people’s heart has grown callous.Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed.Lest they should see with their eyes,hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, then I would heal them.’

28“Be it known therefore to you that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will listen.”

29When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute amongst themselves.

30Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who were coming to him,

31preaching God’s Kingdom and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

1And when we had escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita. But the barbarians shewed us no small courtesy.

2For kindling a fire, they refreshed us all, because of the present rain, and of the cold.

3And when Paul had gathered together a bundle of sticks, and had laid them on the fire, a viper coming out of the heat, fastened on his hand.

4And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging on his hand, they said one to another: Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, who though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance doth not suffer him to live.

5And he indeed shaking off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm.

6But they supposed that he would begin to swell up, and that he would suddenly fall down and die. But expecting long, and seeing that there came no harm to him, changing their minds, they said, that he was a god.

7Now in these places were possessions of the chief man of the island, named Publius, who receiving us, for three days entertained us courteously.

8And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever, and of a bloody flux. To whom Paul entered in; and when he had prayed, and laid his hands on him, he healed him.

9Which being done, all that had diseases in the island, came and were healed:

10Who also honoured us with many honours, and when we were to set sail, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

11And after three months, we sailed in a ship of Alexandria, that had wintered in the island, whose sign was the Castors.

12And when we were come to Syracusa, we tarried there three days.

13From thence, compassing by the shore, we came to Rhegium: and after one day, the south wind blowing, we came the second day to Puteoli;

14Where, finding brethren, we were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went to Rome.

15And from thence, when the brethren had heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and the Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to God, and took courage.

16And when we were come to Rome, Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kept him.

17And after the third day, he called together the chief of the Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them: Men, brethren, I, having done nothing against the people, or the custom of our fathers, was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans;

18Who, when they had examined me, would have released me, for that there was no cause of death in me;

19But the Jews contradicting it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had any thing to accuse my nation of.

20For this cause therefore I desired to see you, and to speak to you. Because that for the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain.

21But they said to him: We neither received letters concerning thee from Judea, neither did any of the brethren that came hither, relate or speak any evil of thee.

22But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, we know that it is every where contradicted.

23And when they had appointed him a day, there came very many to him unto his lodgings; to whom he expounded, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, out of the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning until evening.

24And some believed the things that were said; but some believed not.

25And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, Paul speaking this one word: Well did the Holy Ghost speak to our fathers by Isaias the prophet,

26Saying: Go to this people, and say to them: With the ear you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive.

27For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears have they heard heavily, and their eyes they have shut; lest perhaps 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.

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

29And when he had said these things, the Jews went out from him, having much reasoning among themselves.

30And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging; and he received all that came in to him,

31Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, without prohibition.