28 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.