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

After we were safe on the island, we knew that it was Malta.

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.

The people on the island were very kind to us. It was raining and cold. They made a fire so we could get warm.

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.

Paul had gathered some wood. As he laid it on the fire, a snake came out because of the heat. It held fast to Paul’s 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.

When the people of the island saw the snake holding to his hand, they said to each other, “This man is a killer. He was saved from the sea and yet it is not right for him to live.”

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

Paul shook off the snake into the fire. He was not hurt in any way.

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.

The people waited. They thought his hand would get large and he would fall over dead. After watching for a long time, they saw nothing happen to him. Then they changed their minds and said that Paul was a god. The Father of Publius Is Healed

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.

Publius was the head man of the island. He owned land around there. For three days he took us in and gave us everything we needed.

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.

The father of Publius was sick with a stomach sickness. Paul went to see him. He prayed and laid his hands on him and the man was healed.

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

Because of this, other people of the island who were sick came to Paul and were healed.

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

They had great respect for us. When we got into a ship to leave, they gave us everything 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.

We had stayed on the island three months. Then we left on a ship that had stayed there during the winter. It was from the city of Alexandria. This ship was called the Twin Brothers.

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

We came to Syracuse and stayed 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;

From there we went by ship around to the city of Rhegium. After a day a south wind started to blow. On the second day we came to the city of Puteoli.

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

We found some Christians there, and they asked us to stay with them. We were there seven days and then went on to the city of 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.

When the Christians heard of our coming, they came to meet us. They came as far as the town of Appius and to a place to stay called the Three Stores. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. Paul Tells Why and How He Has Come

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

When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live where he wanted to. But a soldier was always by his side to watch 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:

Three days later Paul asked the leaders of the Jews to come to him. When they had gathered together, he said, “Brothers, I have done nothing against our people or the way our early fathers lived. And yet, I was tied with chains in Jerusalem and handed over to 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.

I was put on trial, but they found no reason to put me to death. They would have let me go free.

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.

But the Jews did not like this. So I had to ask to be sent to Caesar. It was not because I had anything against my people.

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.

The reason I have asked you to come is to tell you this. It is because of the hope of the Jewish nation that I am tied in these chains.”

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.

They said to Paul, “We have had no letters from Judea about you. No Jew who has come here has ever said anything bad about you.

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.

We would like to hear from you what you believe. As for this new religion, all we know is that everyone is talking against it.”

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.

They planned to meet him on a certain day. Many people came to the place where he stayed. He preached to them about the holy nation of God. He tried to get them to put their trust in Jesus Christ by preaching from the Law of Moses and from the writings of the early preachers. From morning until night he spoke to them.

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

Some of them believed his teaching. Others did not believe.

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,

As they left, they did not agree with each other. Then Paul said, “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your early fathers through the early preacher Isaiah.

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:

He said, ‘Go to these people and say, “You will hear and never understand, you will look and never see,

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.

because these people have hearts that have become fat. They do not hear well with their ears. They have closed their eyes so their eyes do not see and their ears do not hear and their minds do not understand and they do not turn to Me and let Me heal them.”’

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

“I want you to know that the Good News of God of knowing how to be saved from the punishment of sin has been sent to the people who are not Jews. And they will listen to it!”

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

After he had said these things, the Jews went away and argued with each other.

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

Paul paid money to live in a house by himself for two years. He was happy for all who came to see him.

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

He kept on preaching about the holy nation of God. He taught about the Lord Jesus Christ without fear. No one stopped him.