AC-28:1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called
Melita.
AC-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.
AC-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.
AC-28:4 And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast 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.
AC-28:5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
AC-28:6 Howbeit 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.
AC-28:7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island,
whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
AC-28:8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever
and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands
on him, and healed him.
AC-28:9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island,
came, and were healed:
AC-28:10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they
laded [us] with such things as were necessary.
AC-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.
AC-28:12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried [there] three days.
AC-28:13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after
one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
AC-28:14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven
days: and so we went toward Rome.
AC-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.
AC-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.
AC-28:17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of
the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men
[and] brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs
of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of
the Romans.
AC-28:18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let [me] go, because there
was no cause of death in me.
AC-28:19 But when the Jews spake against [it], I was constrained to appeal
unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
AC-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.
AC-28:21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea
concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spake any harm
of thee.
AC-28:22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning
this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
AC-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.
AC-28:24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed
not.
AC-28:25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that
Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto
our fathers,
AC-28:26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and
shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
AC-28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed 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.
AC-28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent
unto the Gentiles, and [that] they will hear it.
AC-28:29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great
reasoning among themselves.
AC-28:30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received
all that came in unto him,
AC-28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern
the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
~~~~~~