Act 28 | NASB2020 | STEP | When they had been brought safely through , then we found out that the island was called Malta .

Acts 28

Safe at Malta

1 When ^athey had been brought safely through, ^bthen we found out that ^cthe island was called ^{▼▼Or Melita}Malta. 2 ^eThe ^{▼▼Gr barbaroi, referring to people who did not speak Greek}natives showed us extraordinary kindness, for they kindled a fire and ^gtook us all in because of the rain that had started and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out ^{▼▼Or from the heat}because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When ⁱthe ^{▼▼See note v 2}natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “ ^kUndoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, ^{▼▼Or Justice; i.e., the personification of a goddess}justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 However, ^{▼▼Lit he
,} ⁿPaul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 Now they were expecting that he was going to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and ^obegan to say that he was a god.

7 Now in the neighboring parts of that place were lands belonging to the ^{▼▼Prob. the Roman governor of the island}leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us warmly for three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with a recurring fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after he ^qprayed, he ^rlaid his hands on him and healed him. 9 After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being cured. 10 They also showed us many honors, and when we were about to set sail, they ^{▼▼Or put on board}supplied us with ^{▼▼Lit the things pertaining to the needs}everything we needed.

Paul Arrives in Rome

11 After three months we set sail on ^uan Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had ^{▼▼Gr Dioscuri; i.e., Castor and Pollux, twin sons of Zeus}the Twin Brothers for its figurehead. 12 After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind came up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 ^{▼▼Lit Where}There we found some ^xbrothers and sisters, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and that is how we came to Rome. 15 And from there the ^ybrothers and sisters, when they heard about us, came as far as the ^{▼▼Lat Appii Forum, a station about 43 miles or 69.2 km from Rome}Market of Appius and the ^{▼▼Lat Tres Tabernae, a station about 33 miles or 53.1 km from Rome}Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16 When we entered Rome, Paul was ^aballowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

17 After three days ^{▼▼Lit he}Paul called together those who were ^adthe leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “ ^aeBrothers, ^afthough I had done nothing against our people or ^agthe customs of our ^{▼▼Or forefathers}fathers, yet I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. 18 And when they had ^aiexamined me, they ^ajwere willing to release me because there were ^akno grounds ^{▼▼Lit of death in me}for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews ^{▼▼Lit spoke against}objected, I was forced to ^anappeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I ^{▼▼Or invited you to see me and speak with me}requested to see you and to speak with you, since I am wearing ^apthis chain for ^aqthe sake of the hope of Israel.” 21 They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of ^arthe brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what ^{▼▼Lit you think}your views are; for regarding this ^atsect, it is known to us that ^auit is spoken against everywhere.”

23 When they had set a day for ^{▼▼Lit him}Paul, people came to him at ^awhis lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly ^axtestifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, ^ayfrom both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 ^azSome were being persuaded by the things said by Paul, but others would not believe. 25 And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul said one parting statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying,

‘ ^baGo to this people and say,
“ ^{▼▼Lit with a hearing you will hear
,} ^bcYou will keep on hearing, and will not understand;
And ^{▼▼Lit seeing you will see}you will keep on seeing, and will not perceive;
27 ^beFor the hearts of this people have become ^{▼▼Lit dull}insensitive,
And with their ears they ^{▼▼Or are hard of hearing}hardly hear,
And they have closed their eyes;
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return,
And I would heal them.”’
28 Therefore, let it be known to you that ^bhthis salvation of God has been sent ^bito the Gentiles; they will also listen.” ^{▼▼Late mss add as v 29: When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.}

29 ^{▼▼This verse is empty in this translation.}– 30 Now Paul stayed two full years ^{▼▼Or at his own expense}in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him, 31 ^{▼▼Or proclaiming
,} ^bnpreaching the kingdom of God and teaching things about the Lord Jesus Christ ^bowith all openness, unhindered.