Acts 28

On Malta

1 When we finally made it safely to shore, we found out we had landed on the island of Malta.

2 The people there were super kind to us. It was rainy and cold, so they built a fire and welcomed us all.

3 Paul gathered a bunch of sticks to throw on the fire, and when he put them in, a snake came out and bit him on the hand.

4 The people of the island saw the snake hanging from his hand and said to each other, “This man must be a murderer! He escaped the sea, but Justice will not let him live!”

5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and was not harmed at all.

6 They expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

7 Near the place where we landed, there was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days.

8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to see him, and after praying, he placed his hands on him and healed him.

9 When this happened, the rest of the sick people on the island came and were cured.

10 They honored us in many ways, and when we were ready to sail, they provided us with everything we needed.

Paul Reaches Rome

11 After three months, we set sail in a ship that had wintered at the island. It was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux.

12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there for three days.

13 From there we sailed around and reached Rhegium. The next day, a south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli.

14 There we found some believers, and they invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

15 The brothers and sisters there had heard we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people, Paul thanked God and was encouraged.

16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

Paul Preaches in Rome

17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.

18 They examined me and wanted to release me because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.

19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar. Not that I had any charge to bring against my own people.

20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there have reported or said anything bad about you.

22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”

23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening, he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.

25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

26 ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”

27 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’

28 Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”

29 After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves.

30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.

31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, with all boldness and without hindrance.