28:1 And when they had escaped, then they knew that the isle was
called Melita.
28:2 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for
they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the
present rain, and because of the cold.
28:3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid
[them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and
fastened on his hand.
28:4 And when the barbarians saw the animal hang on his hand,
they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer,
whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth
not to live.
28:5 And he shook off the animal into the fire, and felt no
harm.
28:6 Yet they looked when he would have swelled, or fallen down
dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw
no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he
was a god.
28:7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of
the isle, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged
us three days courteously.
28:8 And it came to pass that the father of Publius lay sick
with a fever, and a bloody-flux: to whom Paul entered in, and
prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
28:9 So when this was done, others also who had diseases in the
isle, came, and were healed:
28:10 Who also honored us with many honors; and when we
departed, they laded [us] with such things as were necessary.
28:11 And after three months we departed in a ship of
Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was
Castor and Pollux.
28:12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried [there] three days.
28:13 And from thence we made a circuit, and came to Rhegium:
and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day
to Puteoli:
28:14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with
them seven days: and so we went towards Rome.
28:15 And from thence when the brethren heard of us, they came
to meet us as far as Appii-forum, and the Three taverns: whom
when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
28:16 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 a soldier that kept him.
28:17 And it came to pass, that after three days, Paul called
together the chief of the Jews. And when they were assembled,
he said to them, Men, brethren, though I have committed nothing
against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet I was
delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
28:18 Who when they had examined me, would have let [me] go,
because there was no cause of death in me.
28:19 But when the Jews spoke against [it], I was constrained to
appeal to Cesar; not that I had aught to accuse my nation of.
28:20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see
[you], and to speak with [you]: because that for the hope of
Israel I am bound with this chain.
28:21 And they said to him, We have neither received letters
from Judea concerning thee, neither have any of the brethren
that came shown or spoken any harm of thee.
28:22 But we desire to hear from thee, what thou thinkest: for
as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against.
28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to
him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the
kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of
the law of Moses, and [out of] the prophets, from morning till
evening.
28:24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some
believed not.
28:25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed,
after Paul had spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Spirit by
Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
28:26 Saying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear,
and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not
perceive.
28:27 For the heart of this people is become gross, 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 should be converted, and
I should heal them.
28:28 Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is
sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.
28:29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and
had great reasoning among themselves.
28:30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and
received all that came in to him,
28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things
which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no
man forbidding him.
|