28 And when they had escaped, they learned that the isle was called Malta.
2 And the people of the country showed us no little kindness. For they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
3 And when Paul had gathered a number of sticks, and laid them on the fire, a viper came out of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4 Now when the locals saw the wild beast hanging on his hand, they said among themselves, “This man is surely a murderer. For though he has escaped the sea, vengeance has still not allowed to live.”
5 But he shook off the beast (into the fire) and felt no harm.
6 Even so, they waited for him to become swollen, or to suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long while and seen no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 In the same region, the chief man of the isle (whose name was Publius) had an estate. He kindly received and lodged us for three days.
8 And so it was that the father of Publius lay sick from a fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him. And when he prayed, he laid hands on him, and healed him.
9 Then, when this was done, others on the isle who had diseases also came to him and were healed.
10 They also honored us greatly. And when we departed, they gave us necessary supplies.
11 Now after three months, we departed in a ship of Alexandria, (which had wintered on the isle) whose figurehead was Castor and Pollux.
12 And when we arrived at Syracuse, we stayed three days.
13 And we cast off from there and came to Rhegium. And after one day, a south wind blew. And the next day we came to Puteoli,
14 where we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so, we went toward Rome.
15 And from there (when the brothers heard about us) they came to meet us at the Market of Appius and the three taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage.
16 So when we came to Rome, the Centurion delivered the prisoners to the general captain. But Paul was allowed to dwell by himself with a soldier who guarded him.
17 And three days later, Paul called the chief of the Jews together. And when they had come, he said to them, “Men! Brothers! Though I have committed nothing against the people or Laws of the Fathers, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
18 “After they examined me, they wanted to let me go because there was no reason to put me to death.
19 “But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar (not because I had anything of which to accuse my people).
20 “For this reason, therefore, I have called for you (to see you and to speak with you): for the hope of Israel’s sake, I am bound with this chain.”
21 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters out of Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brothers who came showed or spoken any evil of you.
22 “But we will hear what you think. For as concerning this sect, we know that it is contradicted everywhere.”
23 And when they had arranged a day, many came to him at his lodging. And he explained to them, testifying of the Kingdom of God and persuading them of those things that concern Jesus (both out of the Law of Moses and out of the Prophets) from morning to night.
24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken. And some did not believe.
25 Therefore, not being in agreement among themselves, they left after Paul had spoken one word: “The Holy Ghost spoke well to our Fathers by Isaiah the Prophet,
26 “saying, ‘Go to this people, and say, “By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand, and seeing you shall see, and not perceive.
27 “For the heart of this people has grown fat. And their ears are dull of hearing. And their eyes they have closed, or else they would see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and would return so that I might heal them.”’
28 “Therefore, be it known to you that this salvation by God is sent to the Gentiles. And they shall hear it.”
29 And when he had said these things, the Jews departed, and had great disputes among themselves.
30 And Paul remained a full two years in a house he rented for himself. And he welcomed all who came in to him,
31 boldly preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, without hindrance.
