1Then, having come safely through, they learned that the island was called Malta.
2Now the barbarians showed us extraordinary kindness, for they lit a fire and welcomed all of us because of the rain which
had come on and because of the cold.
3And when Paul had gathered a mass of firewood and put
it on the fire, a viper came out of the heat and fastened
itself onto his hand.
4And when the barbarians saw the wild beast hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man is no doubt a murderer, whom Justice has not allowed to live, although he was saved from the sea.”
5Now he shook off the beast into the fire and suffered no harm,
6but they expected him to become inflamed or to suddenly fall down dead, but after they had been in expectation for a long
time, and seen nothing untoward happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7And in the neighbourhood of that place was
the estate of the principal
man of the island, by
the name of Publius, who received us for three days and lodged us in a friendly way.
8Now it came to pass that the father of Publius was lying
sick, afflicted with fever and dysentery, and Paul went to him and prayed and laid hands on him and cured him.
9And when this had taken place, the rest on the island who had sicknesses also came forward and were cured.
10And they also honoured us with many honours, and when
we set sail, they supplied
us with what
was needed.
11And after three months, we set sail in a ship
which had wintered on the island – an Alexandrian
one with
the ensign of Castor and Pollux.
12Then we put in at Syracuse and remained
there for three days.
13From there we sailed round and reached Rhegium, and one day later, when a south
wind sprang up, we came to Puteoli on the second day,
14where we found
some brothers, and we were invited to stay with them for seven days, and in this way we went to Rome.
15And when the brothers from that place heard about our
circumstances, they came out to meet us at the Appian
Way Forum and the Three Taverns, and when Paul saw them, he gave thanks to God and took courage.
16And when we came to Rome, the centurion handed over the prisoners to the military commander, but it was permitted for Paul to remain by himself with the soldier guarding him.
17And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the prominent Jews together, and when they had gathered together, he said to them, “Men
and brothers, I have done nothing against the people or the ancestral customs, but I have been delivered
as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18who after interrogating me wanted to release
me because there was no cause for a death
penalty against me.
19But since the Jews spoke against
me, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything to accuse my nation of.
20So for this reason I requested to see you and to address
you, for I have this chain round me for the sake of the hope of Israel.”
21Then they said to him, “We have neither received letters about you from Judaea, nor has anyone of the brothers come and reported or said anything bad about you.
22We consider
it proper to hear from you what you think. For concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.”
23And they appointed him a day, and very many came to him, to
his lodging, to whom he expounded, testifying solemnly to the kingdom of God, persuading them of the
things concerning Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning to evening.
24And some were persuaded by the
things said, but others disbelieved.
25And being at variance with each other, they separated, after Paul had made one remark: “The holy spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
26saying,
‘Go to this people and say,
«You will definitely hear
But certainly not understand,
And you will definitely see
But certainly not perceive,
27For the heart of this people has become obtuse,
And with their ears they hear in a dull way,
And they have closed their eyes,
Lest they should see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart,
And repent,
And I would heal them.» ’
28So let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear
it.”
29And when he had said these
things, the Jews departed, holding a lot of debate among themselves.
30Then Paul remained for a full two years in his own hired house, and he received all those
who came to him,
31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the
things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all frankness, unhindered.
Reference(s) in Chapter 28: v.26 ↔ Isaiah 6:9 ● v.27 ↔ Isaiah 6:10.