Acts 28

1After escaping safely, we then recognized that the island is called Melita.

2The barbarians showed us no ordinary kindness, for after kindling a fire they welcomed all of us because of the coming rain and because of the cold.

3When Paul gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out from the heat and fastened on his hand.

4When the natives saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Certainly this man is a murderer, whom, having escaped the sea, Justice did not allow to live.”

5He shook the beast off into the fire and suffered no harm.

6They expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after observing him expectantly for a long time and seeing nothing harmful happen to him, they revised their opinion and declared him a god.

7In the vicinity of that place were estates belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and kindly hosted us three days.

8Publius’s father was bedridden with fevers and dysentery. Paul went in to him, prayed, laid his hands on him, and healed him.

9After this had happened, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.

10They also honored us with abundant honors, and as we set sail, they provided us with everything we needed.

11After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered on the island, bearing the sign Castor and Pollux.

12And putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days.

13From there, having sailed around, we arrived at Rhegium; and after one day, when a south wind arose, the next day we came to Puteoli.

14Where we found brothers, we were urged to stay with them seven days. So we came to Rome.

15From there, when the brothers heard the news about us, they came to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. Seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.

16When we entered Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself with the soldier guarding him.

17After three days he called together the leading Jews who were there. When they had gathered, he said to them, "Men, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the ancestral customs, yet as a prisoner from Jerusalem I was handed over into the hands of the Romans."

18who, when they had questioned me, wanted to release me because no cause of death existed in me.

19But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar—not as though I had anything to accuse my nation of.

20For this reason, therefore, I requested you to see and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

21They said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea about you, nor did any of the brothers come and report or speak any evil about you."

22But we want to hear from you what you think. For indeed, concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is contradicted.

23When they had set a day for him, many came to him at his lodging, where he laid out God's kingdom for them, testifying earnestly and trying to convince them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning until evening.

24And some were being persuaded by what was being said, but others disbelieved.

25Disagreeing with one another, they departed after Paul spoke one word: "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers."

26saying, “Go to this people and say, ‘Hearing you will hear, and never understand; seeing you will see, and never perceive.’”

27For this people's heart has grown thick, and with their ears they heard heavily, and they closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, turn, and I heal them.

28Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the nations, and they will listen.

29After saying these things, the Jews departed, disputing vigorously among themselves.

30He stayed two full years in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to him.

31Declaring God's kingdom and teaching the things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.