1 A fter we were safe on the island, we knew and recognized that it was called Malta.

When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta.

2 A nd the natives showed us unusual and remarkable kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed and received us all, since it had begun to rain and was cold.

The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all.

3 N ow Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and he was laying them on the fire when a viper crawled out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.

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 itself on his hand.

4 W hen the natives saw the little animal hanging from his hand, they said to one another, Doubtless this man is a murderer, for though he has been saved from the sea, Justice '> the goddess of avenging] has not permitted that he should live.

When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “ Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.”

5 T hen shook off the small creature into the fire and suffered no evil effects.

However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

6 H owever, they were waiting, expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead; but when they had watched him a long time and saw nothing fatal or harmful come to him, they changed their minds and kept saying over and over that he was a god.

But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.

7 I n the vicinity of that place there were estates belonging to the head man of the island, named Publius, who accepted and welcomed and entertained us with hearty hospitality for three days.

Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days.

8 A nd it happened that the father of Publius was sick in bed with recurring attacks of fever and dysentery; and Paul went to see him, and after praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him.

And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.

9 A fter this had occurred, the other people on the island who had diseases also kept coming and were cured.

After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured.

10 T hey showed us every respect and presented many gifts to us, honoring us with many honors; and when we sailed, they provided and put on everything we needed.

They also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed. Paul Arrives at Rome

11 I t was after three months’ stay there that we set sail in a ship which had wintered in the island, an Alexandrian ship with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead.

At the end of three months we set sail on an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had the Twin Brothers for its figurehead.

12 W e landed at Syracuse and remained there three days,

After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.

13 A nd from there we made a circuit and reached Rhegium; and one day later a south wind sprang up, and the next day we arrived at Puteoli.

From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.

14 T here we found some brethren and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.

There we found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome.

15 A nd the brethren there, having had news of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and received new courage.

And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16 W hen we arrived at Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was permitted to live by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

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

17 T hree days after, he called together the leading local Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, Brethren, though I have done nothing against the people or against the customs of our forefathers, yet I was turned over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “ Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

18 A fter they had examined me, they were ready to release me because I was innocent of any offense deserving the death penalty.

And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death.

19 B ut when the Jews protested, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, though it was not because I had any charge to make against my nation.

But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation.

20 T his is the reason therefore why I have begged to see you and to talk with you, since it is because of the Hope of Israel (the Messiah) that I am bound with this chain.

For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.”

21 A nd they answered him, We have not received any letters about you from Judea, and none of the brethren coming here has reported or spoken anything evil about you.

They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you.

22 B ut we think it fitting and are eager to hear from you what it is that you have in mind and believe and what your opinion is, for with regard to this sect it is known to all of us that it is everywhere denounced.

But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.”

23 S o when they had set a day with him, they came in large numbers to his lodging. And he fully set forth and explained the matter to them from morning until night, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.

When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.

24 A nd some were convinced and believed what he said, and others did not believe.

Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.

25 A nd as they disagreed among themselves, they began to leave, Paul had added one statement: The Holy Spirit was right in saying through Isaiah the prophet to your forefathers:

And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,

26 G o to this people and say to them, You will indeed hear and hear with your ears but will not understand, and you will indeed look and look with your eyes but will not see.

saying, ‘ Go to this people and say, “ You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;

27 F or the heart (the understanding, the soul) of this people has grown dull (stupid, hardened, and calloused), and their ears are heavy and hard of hearing and they have shut tight their eyes, so that they may not perceive and have knowledge and become acquainted with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their souls and turn, that I may heal them.

For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes; Otherwise they might see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.”’

28 S o let it be understood by you then that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!

Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”

29 A nd when he had said these things, the Jews went away, arguing and disputing among themselves.

'> When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]

30 A fter this Paul lived there for two entire years in his own rented lodging, and he welcomed all who came to him,

And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him,

31 P reaching to them the kingdom of God and teaching them about the Lord Jesus Christ with boldness and quite openly, and without being molested or hindered.

preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.