Paul on Malta
2
3The native peoplea showed us unusual 4kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
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When 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.
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When 5the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, 6"No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, 7Justiceb has not allowed him to live."
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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, 9they changed their minds and 10said that he was a god.
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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.
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It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and 11prayed, and 12putting his hands on him healed him.
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And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
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They also honored us greatly,c and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
Paul Arrives at Rome
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After three months we set sail in 13a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin godsd as a figurehead.
12
Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.
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And 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.
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There we found 14brotherse and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.
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And 15the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, 16Paul thanked God and took courage.
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And when we came into Rome, 17Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him.
Paul in Rome
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After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, "Brothers, 18though I had done nothing against our people or 19the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
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When they had examined me, they 20wished to set me at liberty, 21because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.
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But because the Jews objected, I was compelled 22to appeal to Caesar--though I had no charge to bring against 23my nation.
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For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is 24because of 25the hope of Israel that I am wearing 26this 27chain."
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And they said to him, "We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of 28the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.
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But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this 29sect we know that everywhere 30it is spoken against."
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When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening 31he expounded to them, testifying to 32the kingdom of God and 33trying to convince them about Jesus 34both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
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And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: 36"The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
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37"'Go to this people, and say, 38You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.
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39For 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 40turn, and I would heal them.'
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
(English Standard Version - The Holy Bible Online)