1 A nd when we were escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita.

2 A nd the barbarians showed us no common kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

3 B ut when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out by reason of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

4 A nd when the barbarians saw the venomous creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped from the sea, yet Justice hath not suffered to live.

5 H owbeit he shook off the creature into the fire, and took no harm.

6 B ut they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but when they were long in expectation and beheld nothing amiss came to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

7 N ow in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us, and entertained us three days courteously.

8 A nd it was so, that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laying his hands on him healed him.

9 A nd when this was done, the rest also that had diseases in the island came, and were cured:

10 w ho also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we needed.

11 A nd after three months we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was The Twin Brothers.

12 A nd touching at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

13 A nd from thence we made a circuit, and arrived at Rhegium: and after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli;

14 w here we found brethren, and were entreated to tarry with them seven days: and so we came to Rome.

15 A nd from thence the brethren, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

16 A nd when we entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him.

17 A nd it came to pass, that after three days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans:

18 w ho, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me.

19 B ut when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had aught whereof to accuse my nation.

20 F or this cause therefore did I entreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

21 A nd they said unto him, We neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of thee.

22 B ut we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.

23 A nd when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening.

24 A nd some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

25 A nd when they agreed not among themselves, they departed after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers,

26 s aying, Go thou unto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:

27 F or this people's heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them.

28 B e it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear.

29 A nd when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much disputing among themselves.

30 A nd he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him,

31 p reaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.