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

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.(B) When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers,(C) although I have done nothing against our people(D) or against the customs of our ancestors,(E) I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me(F) and wanted to release me,(G) because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.(H) 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar.(I) I certainly did not intend to bring any charge 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(J) that I am bound with this chain.”(K)

21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people(L) who have come from there has 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.”(M)

23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God,(N) and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets(O) he tried to persuade them about Jesus.(P) 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.(Q) 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(R) 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;(S)
    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.’[a](T)

28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation(U) has been sent to the Gentiles,(V) and they will listen!” [29] [b]

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(W) and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness(X) and without hindrance!

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16 When we entered Rome, Paul was (A)allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

17 After three days [a]Paul called together those who were (B)the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “(C)Brothers, (D)though I had done nothing against our people or (E)the customs of our [b]fathers, yet I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. 18 And when they had (F)examined me, they (G)were willing to release me because there were (H)no grounds [c]for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews [d]objected, I was forced to (I)appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I [e]requested to see you and to speak with you, since I am wearing (J)this chain for (K)the sake of the hope of Israel.” 21 They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of (L)the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what [f]your views are; for regarding this (M)sect, it is known to us that (N)it is spoken against everywhere.”

23 When they had set a day for [g]Paul, people came to him at (O)his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly (P)testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, (Q)from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 (R)Some 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,

(S)Go to this people and say,
[h](T)You will keep on hearing, and will not understand;
And [i]you will keep on seeing, and will not perceive;
27 (U)For the hearts of this people have become [j]insensitive,
And with their ears they [k]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 (V)this salvation of God has been sent (W)to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”[l]

30 Now Paul stayed two full years [m]in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him, 31 [n](X)preaching the kingdom of God and teaching things about the Lord Jesus Christ (Y)with all openness, unhindered.

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