 1 After they escaped, they learned+ that the island was called Malta. 2 The natives+ showed us no little kindness. They started+ a fire and accepted+ everyone because of the rain and cold. 3 When Paul gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a came viper out of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the natives+ saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves: No doubt this man is a murderer and though he has escaped the sea, yet vengeance does not allow+ him to live. 5 But Paul shook the beast off and into the fire and felt no harm. 6 When they looked at the place where he should have swollen, if not suddenly fallen down dead, after they had looked for a great while and saw no harm had come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. 7 In that same area+ was the home+ of the chief man of the island whose name was Publius. He received us courteously and lodged us for three days. 8 Now it came to pass that the father of Publius lay sick with a fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, laid his hands on him, and healed him. 9 After this, others on the island who had diseases also came to Paul and were healed. 10 Therefore they honored us with many honors and when we departed, they provided+ for us such things as were necessary. 11 After three months we left+ in a ship from Alexandria that had wintered there on that island+. That ship's sign was Castor and Pollux. 12 Upon landing at Syracuse, we stayed+ there for three days. 13 From there+ we fetched a compass and came to Rhegium. After one day there, the south wind blew, and the next day we went to Puteoli. 14 There, we found family+ who invited+ us to stay+ with them seven days. Then, we went toward Rome. 15 When the family+ there heard about us, they came from as far away as the Appii Forum and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard. But Paul was allowed+ to live+ by himself with a soldier to guard+ him. 17 Now it came to pass that after three days, Paul called the chief of the Jews together. When they had come together, he said to them: Men and family+, though I have committed no wrong against the people or customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 After they examined me, they would have let me go because there was no just cause to put me to death. 19 But when the Jews spoke against me, I was compelled+ to appeal to Caesar, because my nation did not have any+ just accusation against me. 20 For this reason+ therefore I have called for you to see you and to speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain. 21 They said to him: We did not receive any letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the family+ who came here report+ or speak of any harm by you. 22 But we desire to hear your thoughts concerning this sect. For we know that people everywhere are speaking against it. 23 So they appointed a day and many came to hear him at his lodging. From morning until evening, he testified and expounded about the kingdom of God to persuade them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and from the prophets. 24 Some believed the things that he said and some did not believe. 25 When they did not agree among themselves, they left+ after Paul spoke one final word: Through the prophet Isaiah the Holy Spirit spoke well to our fathers 26 saying: Go to this people and say: Hearing, you will hear and not understand. Seeing, you will see and not perceive. Matthew 13:14 27 For the hearts of these people are calloused+ and their ears are dull of hearing and they have closed their eyes, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and be converted and I would heal them. Matthew 13:15 28 Therefore, let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles and they will hear it. 29 After Paul said these words, the Jews left+ and had a great debate+ among themselves. 30 Paul then lived+ for two whole years in his own rented+ house and welcomed+ all who came to him. 31 He proclaimed+ the kingdom of God and taught those things that pertain+ to the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence and no one forbid him.
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