1 And when they had been brought safely through, they then learned that the island was called Melita.
2 And the natives showed us no ordinary kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold.
3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4 And when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "This man must surely be a murderer, whom Justice has not let live, even though he has been brought safely out of the sea."
5 And he shook off the creature into the fire and felt no harm.
6 But they were expecting him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead; and after they had waited a long time and seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 Now in the region around that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and lodged us courteously for three days.
8 And the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery; to whom Paul went in and prayed, and laid his hands on him and healed him.
9 So when this was done, the others also on the island who had diseases came and were healed.
10 They also honored us with many honors, and when we departed, they put on board such things as were necessary.
11 And after three months we set sail in a ship of Alexandria that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Brothers as its emblem.
12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed there three days;
13 from there we sailed around and came to Rhegium; and after one day the south wind blew, and on the second day we came to Puteoli,
14 where we found brothers and were invited to stay with them seven days; and so we came to Rome.
15 And from there, when the brothers heard about us, they came to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16 And 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 the soldier who guarded him.
17 And after three days Paul called together the leading men of the Jews; and when they had come together, he said to them, "Men and brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to release me, because there was no cause for death in me.
19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything to accuse my nation of.
20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you; because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."
21 And they said to him, "We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of the brothers who came reported or spoken any evil about you.
22 But we want to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere."
23 And when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging; and he explained the matter to them, solemnly testifying to the kingdom of God and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.
24 And some were persuaded by the things spoken, but others did not believe.
25 And when they disagreed among themselves, they departed, after Paul had said one word: "Well did the Holy Spirit speak through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
26 saying, 'Go to this people and say, "Hearing, you will hear and will not understand, and seeing, you will see and will not perceive;
27 for the heart of this people has grown dull, and with their ears they have been dull of hearing, 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 should heal them."'
28 Be it known to you, then, that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen."
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.
30 And Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who came to him,
31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, unhindered.