1 A nd when we got safe we then knew that the island was called Melita.

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

2 B ut the barbarians shewed us no common kindness; for, having kindled a fire, they took us all in because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.

And 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.

3 A nd Paul having gathered a quantity of sticks together in a bundle and laid on the fire, a viper coming out from the heat seized his hand.

Now 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.

4 A nd when the barbarians saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said to one another, This man is certainly a murderer, whom, saved out of the sea, Nemesis has not allowed to live.

When 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.

5 H e however, having shaken off the beast into the fire, felt no harm.

Then shook off the small creature into the fire and suffered no evil effects.

6 B ut they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down suddenly dead. But when they had expected a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, changing their opinion, they said he was a god.

However, 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.

7 N ow in the country surrounding that place were the lands belonging to the chief man of the island, by name Publius, who received us and gave hospitality three days in a very friendly way.

In 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.

8 A nd it happened that the father of Publius lay ill of fever and dysentery; to whom Paul entered in, and having prayed and laid his hands on him cured him.

And 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.

9 B ut this having taken place, the rest also who had sicknesses in the island came and were healed:

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

10 w ho also honoured us with many honours, and on our leaving they made presents to us of what should minister to our wants.

They 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.

11 A nd after three months we sailed in a ship which had wintered in the island, an Alexandrian, with Dioscuri for its ensign.

It 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.

12 A nd having come to Syracuse we remained three days.

We landed at Syracuse and remained there three days,

13 W hence, going in a circuitous course, we arrived at Rhegium; and after one day, the wind having changed to south, on the second day we came to Puteoli,

And 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.

14 w here, having found brethren, we were begged to stay with them seven days. And thus we went to Rome.

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

15 A nd thence the brethren, having heard about us, came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Tres Tabernae, whom when Paul saw, he thanked God and took courage.

And 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.

16 A nd when we came to Rome, Paul was allowed to remain by himself with the soldier who kept him.

When 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.

17 A nd it came to pass after three days, that he called together those who were the chief of the Jews; and when they had come together he said to them, Brethren, I having done nothing against the people or the customs of our forefathers, have been delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,

Three 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.

18 w ho having examined me were minded to let me go, because there was nothing worthy of death in me.

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

19 B ut the Jews speaking against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not as having anything to accuse my nation of.

But 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.

20 F or this cause therefore I have called you to to see and to speak to you; for on account of the hope of Israel I have this chain about me.

This 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.

21 A nd they said to him, For our part, we have neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor has any one of the brethren who has arrived reported or said anything evil concerning thee.

And 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.

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

But 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.

23 A nd having appointed him a day many came to him to the lodging, to whom he expounded, testifying of the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from early morning to evening.

So 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.

24 A nd some were persuaded of the things which were said, but some disbelieved.

And some were convinced and believed what he said, and others did not believe.

25 A nd being disagreed among themselves they left; Paul having spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Spirit through Esaias the prophet to our fathers,

And 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:

26 s aying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear and not understand, and seeing ye shall see and not perceive.

Go 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.

27 F or the heart of this people has become fat, and they hear heavily with their ears, and they have closed their eyes; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

For 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.

28 B e it known to you therefore, that this salvation of God has been sent to the nations; they also will hear.

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

29

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

30 A nd he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging, and received all who came to him,

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

31 p reaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom unhinderedly.

Preaching 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.