1 A fter we were safe on the island, we knew that it was Malta.

And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

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

And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

3 P aul 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.

And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

4 W hen 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.”

And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

5 P aul shook off the snake into the fire. He was not hurt in any way.

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

6 T he 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

Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

7 P ublius 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.

In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

8 T he 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.

And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

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

So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

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

Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

11 W e 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.

And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

12 W e came to Syracuse and stayed there three days.

And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

13 F rom 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.

And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

14 W e 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.

Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

15 W hen 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

And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

16 W hen we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live where he wanted to. But a soldier was always by his side to watch him.

And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

17 T hree 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.

And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

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

Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

19 B ut 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.

But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

20 T he 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.”

For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

21 T hey 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.

And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

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

But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

23 T hey 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.

And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

24 S ome of them believed his teaching. Others did not believe.

And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

25 A s 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.

And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

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

Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

27 b ecause 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.”’

For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

28 “ 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!”

Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

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

And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

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

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

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

Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.