Paul on Malta

1 And after wewere brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta.

2 And the local inhabitants showed extraordinarykindness to us, for they lit a fire andwelcomed us all, because of the rain that had begun and because of the cold.

3 And whenPaul had gathered a large number of sticks and was placing themon the fire, a viper came out because of the heat andfastened itself on his hand.

4 And when the local people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began sayingto one another, “Doubtless this man is a murderer whom, although hewas rescued from the sea, Justicehas not permitted to live!”

5 He, in turn, shook off the creature into the fire andsuffered no harm.

6 But they were expecting that he was going to swell upor suddenly to fall down dead. So afterthey had waited for a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds andbegan sayingthat he was a god.

7 Now in the regions around that place were fields belonging to the chief official of the island, namedPublius, who welcomed us andentertained ushospitably for three days.

8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying down, afflicted with fever and dysentery. Paul wentto himand afterpraying, he placed hishands on him andhealed him.

9 And afterthis had taken place, the rest of those on the island who had diseases were coming and being healed also.

10 They also honored us with many honors, and when wewere putting out to sea, they gave usthe things we needed.

Paul Arrives in Rome at Last

11 Now after three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian one with the twin gods Castor and Pollux as its insignia.

12 And putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

13 From there we got underwayandarrived at Rhegium, and after one day a south wind came up andon the second day we came to Puteoli,

14 where we found brothers, andwere implored to stay with them seven days. And in this way we came to Rome.

15 And from there the brothers, when theyheard the news about us, came to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns. When hesaw them, Paul gave thanks to God andtook courage.

16 And when we entered into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who was guarding him.

Paul and the Jewish Community in Rome

17 Now it happened that after three days, he called together those who were the most prominent of the Jews. And whenthey had assembled, he said to them, “Men and brothers, althoughI had done nothing against ourpeople or the customs of our fathers, from Jerusalem I was delivered as a prisoner into the hands of the Romans,

18 who, when theyhad examined me, were wanting to release me,because there was no basis for an accusation worthy of death with me.

19 But becausethe Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar (not as if Ihad any charge to bring against my own people).

20 Therefore for this reason I have requested to see you and to speak with you,for because of the hope of Israel I am wearing this chain!”

21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters about you from Judea, nor has any of the brothers come andreported or spoken anything evil about you.

22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, for concerning this sect it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.”

23 And when theyhad set a day with him, many more came to him at his lodging place, to whom he was explaining from early in the morning until evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and attempting to convincethem about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets.

24 And some were convinced bywhat was said, but others refused to believe.

25 So being in disagreement with one another, they began to leave afterPaul made one statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through the prophet Isaiah to your fathers,

26 saying,

‘Go to this people and say,

“You will keep on hearingand will never understand,

and you will keep on seeingand will never perceive.

27 For the heart of this people has become dull,

and with theirears they hear with difficulty,

and they have shut their eyes,

lest they see with theireyes,

and hear with theirears,

and understand with theirheart,

and turn, and I would heal them.” ’

28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. They also will listen!”

30 So he stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and welcomed all who came to him,

31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/38/32k/ACT/28-fc93be799917ff90246e129878599434.mp3?version_id=90—