Study Desk

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 handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem.

"And when they had ^(C1)examined me, they ^(C2)were willing to release me because there were ^(C3)no grounds ^(F1)for putting me to death.

"But when the Jews ^(F1)objected, I was forced to ^(C1)appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation.

"For this reason, therefore, I ^(F1)requested to see you and to speak with you, since I am wearing ^(C1)this chain for ^(C2)the sake of the hope of Israel."

They said to him, "We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of ^(C1)the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you.

"But we desire to hear from you what ^(F1)your views are; for regarding this ^(C1)sect, it is known to us that ^(C2)it is spoken against everywhere."

When they had set a day for ^(F1)Paul, people came to him at ^(C1)his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly ^(C2)testifying 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.

^(C1)Some were being persuaded by the things said by Paul, but others would not believe.

And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul said one parting statement: "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,

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

^(C1)FOR THE HEARTS OF THIS PEOPLE HAVE BECOME ^(F1)INSENSITIVE, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY ^(F2)HARDLY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM."'

"Therefore, let it be known to you that ^(C1)this salvation of God has been sent ^(C2)to the Gentiles; they will also listen."^(F1)

Now Paul stayed two full years ^(F1)in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him,

^(F1)(C1)preaching the kingdom of God and teaching things about the Lord Jesus Christ ^(C2)with all openness, unhindered.