Acts 28

1 And when we had been brought safely through, then we learned that the island is called Malta. 2 And the foreign-speaking people showed us no ordinary kindness; for they kindled a fire and took us all in, because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold. [a] 3 And when Paul had gathered a quantity of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the foreign-speaking people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they were saying to one another, “Certainly this man is a murderer, whom Justice has not allowed to live, though he was brought safely through from the sea.” [b] 5 So he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm; 6 but they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. And when they had waited a long while and saw nothing out of place happening to him, they changed their minds and were saying that he was a god.

7 Now in the neighborhood of that place there were lands belonging to the first man of the island, named Publius, who took us in and entertained us kindly for three days. [c] 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying ill with fevers and dysentery; and Paul went in to him and prayed, and laying his hands on him he healed him. 9 And when this had happened, the rest of those on the island who had illnesses were coming and being cured; † 10 and they honored us with many honors, and when we were putting to sea they set on board the things we needed.

11 And after three months we put to sea in a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian, marked with the Twin Brothers. [d] 12 And putting in at Syracuse we stayed three days; 13 and from there we cast off and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind came up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli, [e] 14 where we found brothers and were urged to stay with them seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And from there the brothers, when they heard the things about us, came to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns; and when Paul saw them he thanked God and took courage. [f] 16 And when we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier guarding him. [g]

17 And it happened after three days that he called together those who were the leading men of the Jews; and when they had come together he said to them, “I, men and brothers, having done nothing against the people or the customs of the fathers, was handed over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who examined me and were wanting to release me, because there was no cause of death in me. 19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was forced to appeal to Caesar — not that I had anything to accuse my own nation of. 20 For this reason, then, I called for you, to see you and to speak with you; for it is because of the hope of Israel that I have this chain around me.” 21 And they said to him, “We have neither received letters about you from Judea, nor has any of the brothers come and reported or said anything evil about you. 22 But we think it right to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.” [h]

23 And when they had set him a day, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers; and he was laying it out to them, testifying fully to the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus, from both the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning until evening. 24 And some were being persuaded by the things said, and others did not trust. 25 And being in disagreement with one another they were leaving, when Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying:

28 “So let it be known to you that this rescue of God has been sent to the nations; they will also listen.” [j]

30 And he remained two whole years in his own rented place, and he welcomed all who came in to him, [l] † 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, unhindered. [m]