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On the Island of Malta

¹ And when ^(C1)they had been brought safely through to shore, ^(C2)then we learned that ^(C3)the island was called ^(F1)Malta.^2 (C1)And the ^(F1)natives showed us extraordinary affection; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and ^(C2)received us all.³ But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out ^(F1)because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.⁴ And when ^(C1)the ^(F1)natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, "^(C2)Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, ^(F2)Justice has not allowed him to live."⁵ However ^(C1)he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.⁶ But they were waiting for him to soon swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, changing their minds, they ^(C1)began to say that he was a god.

⁷ Now in the areas around that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days.⁸ And it happened that the father of Publius was lying afflicted with fever and dysentery; and Paul, going to see him and having ^(C1)prayed, ^(C2)laid his hands on him and healed him.⁹ And after this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being healed.¹⁰ They also bestowed on us many honors of respect; and when we were setting sail, they ^(F1)supplied us with ^(F2)all we needed.

Paul Arrives in Rome

¹¹ Now at the end of three months we set sail on ^(C1)an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had ^(F1)the Twin Brothers for its figurehead.¹² After we put into Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.¹³ From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and after a day when a south wind sprang up, on the second day we came to Puteoli.^14 (F1)There we found some ^(C1)brothers, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome.¹⁵ And the ^(C1)brothers, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the ^(F1)Market of Appius and ^(F2)Three Inns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

¹⁶ And when we entered Rome, Paul was ^(C1)allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

Paul's Ministry in Rome

¹⁷ And it happened that after three days ^(F1)Paul called together those who were ^(C1)the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, "^(C2)Brothers, ^(C3)though I had done nothing against our people or ^(C4)the customs of our ^(F2)fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.¹⁸ "And when they had ^(C1)examined me, they ^(C2)were willing to release me because there was ^(C3)no ground ^(F1)for putting me to death.¹⁹ "But when the Jews ^(F1)objected, I was forced to ^(C1)appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation.²⁰ "For this reason, therefore, I ^(F1)requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing ^(C1)this chain for ^(C2)the sake of the hope of Israel."²¹ And they said to him, "We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of ^(C1)the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you.²² "But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this ^(C1)sect, it is known to us that ^(C2)it is spoken against everywhere."

²³ And when they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at ^(C1)his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly ^(C2)bearing witness about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, ^(C3)from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.^24 (C1)And some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others were not believing.²⁵ And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,²⁶ saying,

'^(C1)GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY,
"^(F1)(C2)YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, ^(F2)BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;
AND ^(F3)YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;

^27 (C1)FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL,
AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR,
AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES;
LEST THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,
AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN,
AND I HEAL THEM."'

³⁰ And he stayed two full years ^(F1)in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him,^31 (F1)(C1)preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ ^(C2)with all confidence, unhindered.