1And once we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.
2The natives showed us no ordinary kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold.
3But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened onto his hand.
4When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man is certainly a murderer! Though he has been saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
5However, he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6But they were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop down dead. After waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7Now in the vicinity of that place were estates belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
8Now it happened that the father of Publius was lying sick, afflicted with fevers and dysentery. Paul went in to him, and after praying, he laid his hands on him and healed him.
9And when this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had illnesses also kept coming and were being cured.
10They also honored us in many ways, and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with what we needed.
11After three months, we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, and its figurehead was the Twin Brothers.
12And landing at Syracuse, we stayed for three days.
13From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day, when a south wind sprang up, we came to Puteoli on the second day.
14There we found brothers and were urged to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.
15And from there the brothers, having heard the news about us, came to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16And when we entered Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
17After three days, he called together the leading men of the Jews. And when they had gathered, he said to them: “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
18They, after examining me, wanted to release me, because there was no ground for a death sentence in my case.
19But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—not that I had any charge to bring against my own nation.
20For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and to speak with you, for it is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
21And they said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of the brothers who arrived reported or spoken anything evil about you.
22But we would like to hear from you what your views are, for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.”
23So they arranged a day with him, and many more came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning until evening.
24And some were convinced by what was said, but others disbelieved.
25And disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,
26saying: ‘Go to this people and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.’
28Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
30He stayed for a full two years in his own rented quarters and welcomed all who came to him,
31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
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