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¹ And being escaped, we then knew, that the island was called Melita.² And the barbarians shewed us uncommon kindness; for having kindled a fire, they brought us all to it, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.³ Now as Paul was gathering a bundle of sticks, and laying them on the fire, a viper coming from the heat, fastened upon his hand.⁴ And when the barbarians saw the venomous animal hanging on his hand, they said one to another, Doubtless this man is a murderer, whom though he hath escaped the sea, vengeance hath not suffered to live.⁵ But having shaken off the venomous animal into the fire, he felt no harm.⁶ However they expected, that he would have swollen, or suddenly fallen down dead: but after having waited a considerable time, seeing no mischief befall him, they changed their minds and said, that he was a god.⁷ And near that place was the estate of the chief man of the island, named Publius, who receiving us into his house, entertained us courteously three days.⁸ Now the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and bloody flux; to whom Paul went in, and having prayed, laid his hands on him and healed him.⁹ And when this was done, the rest also in the island who had disorders,¹⁰ came and were healed, Who likewise honoured us with many honours, and when we departed, put on board such things as were necessary.

¹¹ And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the island, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.¹² And arriving at Syracuse,¹³ we tarried there three days, Whence coasting round, we came to Rhegium, and the south wind rising after one day, we came the next to Puteoli:¹⁴ Where finding brethren, we were intreated to tarry with them seven days, and so we went toward Rome.¹⁵ And the brethren having heard of us, came out thence to meet us, some as far as Appii Forum, and others to 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 the soldier that kept him.

¹⁷ And after three days, Paul called the chief of the Jews together. And when they were come together, he said to them, Brethren, though I have done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet have I been delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans:¹⁸ Who having examined me, were willing to have released me, because there was no cause of death in me.¹⁹ But when the Jews opposed it, I was constrained to appeal to Cesar; not that I had any thing to accuse my nation of.²⁰ For this cause therefore have I intreated, to see and speak with you; for it is on account of the hope of Israel, that I am bound with this chain.²¹ And they said to him, We have neither received letters from Judea concerning thee, nor hath any of the brethren coming hither, related or spoke any evil of thee.²² But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for concerning this sect, we know, that it is every where spoken against.

²³ And having appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he expounded the kingdom of God, testifying and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning till evening.²⁴ And some believed the things that were spoken, and some believed not.²⁵ And not agreeing with each other, they brake up the assembly, after Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by the prophet Isaiah to your fathers,²⁶ Saying, Go to this people and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand, and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive.²⁷ For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and with their ears they hear heavily, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and should be converted, and I should heal them.²⁸ Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear.²⁹ And when he had said these things, the Jews departed, having great debating with each other.

³⁰ And Paul continued two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came to him,³¹ Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things that relate to the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom of speech, no man forbidding him.