1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was
called Melita. 2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness:
for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the
present rain, and because of the cold.
3 And when Paul had gathered a
bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of
the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the
venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt
this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet
vengeance suffereth not to live.
5 And he shook off the beast into the
fire, and felt no harm.
6 Howbeit they looked when he should have
swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great
while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said
that he was a god.
7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the
island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three
days courteously. 8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay
sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and
prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
9 So when this was
done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were
healed: 10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed,
they laded us with such things as were necessary.
11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria,
which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. 12 And
landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. 13 And from thence we
fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind
blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: 14 Where we found brethren,
and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward
Rome.
15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to
meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul
saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
16 And when we came to Rome, the
centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul
was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief
of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto
them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the
people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from
Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 Who, when they had examined
me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto
Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. 20 For this cause
therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you:
because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of
Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou
thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is
spoken against.
23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him
into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God,
persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out
of the prophets, from morning till evening.
24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after
that Paul had spoken one word,
Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the
prophet unto our fathers, 26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say,
Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall
see, and not perceive: 27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross,
and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed;
lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and
understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal
them.
28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is
sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and
received all that came in unto him,
31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and
teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all
confidence, no man forbidding him.
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