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¹ And we afterwards learned, that the island was called Melita.² And the barbarians who inhabited it, showed us many kindnesses. And they kindled a fire, and called us all to warm ourselves, because of the great rain and cold at that time.³ And Paul took up a bundle of fagots and laid them on the fire: and a viper, [fn] by the heat, came out of them, and bit his hand. ⁴ when the barbarians saw it hanging on his hand, they said: Doubtless, this man is a murderer; whom, though delivered from the sea, justice will not suffer to live.⁵ But Paul shook his hand, and threw the viper into the fire: and he received no harm.⁶ And the barbarians expected, that he would suddenly swell, and fall dead on the ground. And when they had looked a long time, and saw that he received no harm; they changed their language, and said, that he was a god.⁷ And there were lands in that quarter, belonging to a man named Publius, who was the chief man of the island: and he cheerfully received us at his house three days.⁸ And the father of Publius was sick with a fever and dysentery. And Paul went in to him, and prayed, and laid his hand on him, and healed him.⁹ And after this event, others also in the island who were sick, came to him and were healed.¹⁰ And they honored us with great honors: and when we left the place, they supplied us with necessaries.

¹¹ And after three months we departed, sailing in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the island, and which bore the signal of the Twins.¹² And we came to the city of Syracuse; and remained there three days.¹³ And from there we made a circuit, and arrived at the city Rhegium. And, after one day, the south wind blew [fn] for us, and in two days we came to Puteoli, a city of Italy. ¹⁴ And there we found brethren; and they invited us, and we remained with them seven days: and then we proceeded towards Rome.¹⁵ And the brethren there, hearing [fn] , came out to meet us as far as the village called Appii Forum, and as far as the Three Taverns. And when Paul saw them, he gave thanks to God, and was encouraged. ¹⁶ And we went on to Rome. And the centurion allowed Paul to reside where he pleased, with a soldier who guarded him.

¹⁷ And after three days, Paul sent and called for the principal Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them: Men, my brethren, although I had in nothing risen up against the people or the law of my fathers, I was at Jerusalem delivered over in bonds to the Romans:¹⁸ and they, when they had examined me, were disposed to release me, because they found in me no offence deserving death.¹⁹ And, as the Jews withstood me, I was compelled to utter an appeal to Caesar; but not because I had any thing of which to accuse the people of my nation.²⁰ For this reason I sent for you to come, that I might see you, and might state these things to you: for it is on account of the hope of Israel, that I am bound with this chain.²¹ They said to him: We have received no epistle from Judaea against thee; and none of the brethren who have come from Jerusalem, have told us any evil thing of thee.²² But we are desirous to hear from thee what thou thinkest; for this doctrine, we know, is not received by any one.

²³ they appointed him a day; and many assembled, and came to him at his lodgings. And he explained to them respecting the kingdom of God, testifying and persuading them concerning Jesus, out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.²⁴ And some of them assented to his discourses, and others did not assent.²⁵ And they went out from him, disagreeing among themselves. And Paul addressed to them this speech: Well did the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of Isaiah the prophet, speak concerning your fathers,²⁶ saying: Go unto this people, and say to them, Hearing ye will hear, and will not understand; and ye will see, and will not comprehend.²⁷ For the heart of this people is stupefied, and their hearing they have made heavy, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and be converted unto me, and I should forgive them.²⁸ Therefore, be this known to you, that to the Gentiles is this redemption of God sent: and, moreover, they will hear it.²⁹ And when he had thus said, the Jews retired; and there were great disputations among them.*

³⁰ And Paul hired a house, at his own cost, and resided in it two years; and there he received all that came to him.³¹ And he preached concerning the kingdom of God, and taught boldly concerning our Lord Jesus Messiah, without hinderance.