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

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

2 T he 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.

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 because of the heat and fastened itself 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 W hen 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.”

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

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

6 B ut 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.

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 leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days.

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 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.

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

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

10 T hey 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

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

11 A t 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.

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

We came to Syracuse and stayed there three days.

13 F rom 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.

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 T here we found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus 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 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.

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 W hen we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding 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 fter 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.

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

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 objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against 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 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.”

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 T hey 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.

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

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 W hen 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.

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

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

25 A nd 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,

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

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

27 F or 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.”’

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

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

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

30 A nd he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to 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 concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

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