Acts, Chapter 28

1. And when they had escaped, then they knew that the island was called Malta.    2. And the uncivilized 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.    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.    4. And when the natives saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet vengeance did not permit to live.    5. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.    6. However 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.    7. In the same area were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.    8. And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flow: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.    9. So when this was done, others also, who had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:    10. Who also honored us with many honors; and when we departed, they provided us with such things as were necessary.    11. And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.    12. And landing at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.    13. And from there we curved around, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:    14. Where we found believers, and were requested to stay with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.    15. And from there, when the believers heard of us, they came as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns to meet us: whom when Paul saw, 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 permitted to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.    17. And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they had come together, he said to 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.    18. Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.    19. But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar; not that I had anything to accuse my nation of.    20. For this reason therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.    21. And they said to him, We neither received letters out of Judea concerning you, nor did any of the Jewish brethren that came report or speak any evil of you.    22. But we desire to hear from you what you think: for concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against.    23. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he presented and testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.    24. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some did not believe.    25. And when they did not agree among themselves, they departed, after Paul had spoken one word, Well did the Holy Spirit speak by Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,    26. Saying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and not perceive:    27. For the heart of this people has become fat, 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.    28. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.    29. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had much discussion among themselves.    30. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in to him,    31. Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.