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 [venomous] creature hanging from his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet Vengeance alloweth not to live.
28:5 And he shook off the creature into the fire, and felt no harm.
28:6 Yet they looked when he should have swollen, 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 honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they supplied [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 there we sailed around, 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 toward Rome.
28:15 And from there, 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 permitted 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 Caesar; not that I had any thing 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 Judaea 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 has become dull, and their ears are hard 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 dispute 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.