1 N ow when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.

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

2 A nd the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, 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 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 on 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 S o when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow 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 B ut he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

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

6 H owever, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that 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 I n that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.

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 sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed 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 S o when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.

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

10 T hey also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary. Arrival at Rome

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 fter three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island.

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 landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days.

We landed at Syracuse and remained there three days,

13 F rom there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next 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 we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward 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 from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, 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 N ow when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him. Paul’s Ministry at Rome

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 Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have 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 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, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.

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 when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.

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 reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

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 T hen they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.

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 desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”

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 S o when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till 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 by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

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

25 S o when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah 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 you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will 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 hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that 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 “ Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!”

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

29 A nd when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.

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

30 T hen Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, 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 which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

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.