Acts 28

ABU^{(i) 1} AND having escaped, they then learned that the island is called Melita. ² And the barbarians showed us no little kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. ³ And Paul having gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came out a viper from the heat, and fastened on his hand. ⁴ And when the barbarians saw the animal hanging from his hand, they said among themselves: No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though escaped from the sea, justice suffered not to live. ⁵ He, however, shaking off the animal into the fire, suffered no harm. ⁶ But they were expecting that he would become inflamed, or suddenly fall down dead; but after looking a great while, and seeing no harm befall him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. ⁷ In the region around that place, there were lands of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius, who received and entertained us kindly three days. ⁸ Now it happened, that the father of Publius was lying sick with a fever and a bloody flux; to whom Paul entered in, and having prayed, laid his hands on him and healed him. ⁹ And this having been done, the others also, who had diseases in the island, came and were healed; ¹⁰ who also honored us with many honors; and when we put to sea, they loaded us with such things as were necessary. ¹¹ And after three months, we put to sea in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the island, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. ¹² And landing at Syracuse, we remained three days. ¹³ And from thence, making a circuit, we came to Rhegium. And after one day, a south wind arose, and we came on the second day to Puteoli; ¹⁴ where we found brethren, and were entreated to remain with them seven days; and so we went toward Rome. ¹⁵ And from thence, the brethren, having heard of us, came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and the Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to God, and took courage. ¹⁶ And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the commander of the camp; but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. ¹⁷ And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called together those who were the chief men of the Jews; and when they were come together, he said to them: Men, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans; ¹⁸ who, when they had examined me, wished to release me, because there was no cause of death in me. ¹⁹ But as the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; not that I have anything to charge against my nation. ²⁰ For this cause therefore I called for you, to see and to speak with you; for on account of the hope of Israel I am compassed with this chain. ²¹ And they said to him: We neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor did any one of the brethren that came, report or speak any evil concerning thee. ²² But we desire to hear from thee what thou thinkest; for concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against. ²³ And having appointed a day for him, they came to him in greater numbers to his lodging; to whom he expounded, testifying fully the kingdom of God, and persuading them of the things concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning till evening. ²⁴ And some believed the things spoken, and some believed not. ²⁵ And disagreeing among themselves, they departed, after Paul had spoken one word: Well did the Holy Spirit speak through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, ²⁶ saying: Go to this people, and say; With the hearing ye will hear, and will not understand, And seeing ye will see, and will not perceive. ²⁷ For the heart of this people is become gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And turn, and I shall heal them. ²⁸ Be it known to you, therefore, that to the Gentiles the salvation of God was sent; they, moreover, will hear. ²⁹ [V. 29 is wanting in the oldest and best copies.] ³⁰ And Paul remained two whole years in his own hired house, and gladly received all that came in to him; ³¹ preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no one hindering him.