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¹ AFTERWARDS they learned that the island was called Mel''i-ta.² And the barbarians who inhabited it showed us much kindness: for they kindled a fire and called us all to warm ourselves, because of heavy rain and the cold.³ And Paul picked up a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire and a scorpion driven by the heat, came out and bit his hand.⁴ And when the barbarians saw it hanging from his hand, they said, It may be that this man is a murderer, whom though he has been rescued from the sea, yet justice does not permit him to live.⁵ But Paul shook his hand and threw the viper into the fire, and felt no harm.⁶ However, the barbarians expected he would immediately swell up and fall to the ground dead: but after they had waited for a long while, and saw he had not been harmed, they changed their talk, and said that he was a god.⁷ There were villages in that region, belonging to a man whose name was Pub''li-us, the chief man of the island; and he gladly received us at his house for three days.⁸ But the father of Pub''li-us was sick with fever and dysentery: so Paul went in to where he was lying and prayed, then he laid his hand on him and healed him.⁹ So when this was done, others also sick in the island, came, and were healed.¹⁰ The inhabitants honored us with great honors: and when we departed from thence, they ladened us with provisions.

¹¹ After three months we departed, sailing in an Al-ex-an''dri-an ship, which had wintered in the island, and which bore the sign of Castor and Pollux.¹² Landing at Syracuse, we remained there for three days.¹³ From there we circled around, and arrived at Rhe''gi-um city. After a day the south wind blew in our favor, and in two days, we came to Pu-te''o-li, an Italian city,¹⁴ Where we found brethren who invited us; and we stayed with them seven days: then we departed for Rome.¹⁵ When the brethren there heard of us, they came out to meet us as far as the street which is called Ap''pi-i-fo''rum and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and was greatly encouraged.¹⁶ Then we entered Rome, and the centurion gave permission to Paul to live wherever he pleased with a soldier to guard him.

¹⁷ And after three days, Paul sent and called the Jewish leaders; and when they were come together, he said to them, Men and my brethren, though I have done nothing against the people and the law of my fathers, yet I was delivered from Jerusalem in bonds into the hands of the Romans,¹⁸ Who, when they had examined me, would have released me, because they found in me no cause worthy of death.¹⁹ But as the Jews stood against me I was obliged to appeal to Csar; not that I had anything of which to accuse my own people.²⁰ This is the reason I begged you to come, for I wish to see you and to relate these things to you; because it is for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.²¹ And they said to him, We have neither received a letter concerning you from Jud''a, nor have any of the brethren who have come from Jerusalem made any evil report about you.²² Nevertheless, we desire to hear what you have to say, but if it is concerning this teaching, we know well that it is not acceptable to any one, and we do not want to hear about it.

²³ So they appointed a day for him and many gathered together and came to him where he was staying; and he explained to them about the Kingdom of God, thus testifying and persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.²⁴ And some of them harkened to his words, but others paid no attention.²⁵ And as they were dismissed, disagreeing Acts 28 Paul preaches in Rome for two years. among themselves, Paul said to them this saying, Well spoke the Holy Spirit by the mouth of the prophet I-sa''iah against your fathers,²⁶ Saying, Go to this people and say, Hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see and shall not perceive:²⁷ For the heart of this people is hardened 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 repent before me, and I should forgive them.²⁸ Let this be known to you therefore: that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, for they will listen to it.²⁹ * And when he had said these words, the Jews departed arguing much among themselves.

³⁰ And Paul hired a house for himself at his own expense and lived in it for two years; there he received all who came to him,³¹ Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching openly about our LORD Jesus Christ, without hindrance.