Acts 28

1And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.● 2And 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.● 3And 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.● 4And 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.● 5And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.● 6Howbeit 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.● 7In 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.● 8And 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.● 9So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:● 10Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded {us} with such things as were necessary.● 11And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.● 12And landing at Syracuse, we tarried {there} three days.● 13And 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:● 14Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.● 15And 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.● 16And 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.● 17And 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.● 18Who, when they had examined me, would have let {me} go, because there was no cause of death in me.● 19But when the Jews spake against {it}, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.● 20For 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.● 21And 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.● 22But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.● 23And 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.● 24And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.● 25And 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,● 26Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:● 27For 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.● 28Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and {that} they will hear it.● 29And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.● 30And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,● 31Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.●