ACTS 28 [†]After we were brought safely through,  l we then learned that  m the island was called Malta. 2[†] n The native people [1] showed us unusual  o kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4[†]When  p the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another,  q “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea,  r Justice [2] has not allowed him to live.” 5He, however,  s shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6[†]They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him,  t they changed their minds and  u said that he was a god.

7[†]Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8[†]It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and  v prayed, and  w putting his hands on him healed him. 9And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10[†]They also honored us greatly, [3] and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

11[†]After three months we set sail in  x a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods [4] as a figurehead. 12[†]Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14[†]There we found  y brothers [5] and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15[†]And  y the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them,  z Paul thanked God and took courage. 16[†]And when we came into Rome,  a Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.

17[†]After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers,  b though I had done nothing against our people or  c the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18When they had examined me, they  d wished to set me at liberty,  e because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19[†]But because the Jews objected, I was compelled  f to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against  g my nation. 20[†]For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is  h because of  i the hope of Israel that I am wearing  j this  k chain.” 21And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of  l the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this  m sect we know that everywhere  n it is spoken against.”

23[†]When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening  o he expounded to them, testifying to  p the kingdom of God and  q trying to convince them about Jesus  r both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24[†]And  s some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement:  t “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

26[†]  u “‘Go to this people, and say,

 v “You will indeed hear but never understand,

and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

27  w For this people’s heart has grown dull,

and with their ears they can barely hear,

and their eyes they have closed;

lest they should see with their eyes

and hear with their ears

and understand with their heart

and  x turn, and I would heal them.’

28[†]Therefore let it be known to you that  y this  z salvation of God  a has been sent to the Gentiles;  b they will listen.” [6]

30[†]He lived there two whole years at his own expense, [7] and  c welcomed all who came to him, 31 d proclaiming  e the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ  f with all boldness and  g without hindrance.