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Acts 28:16-31
Good News Translation
Acts 28:16-31
Good News Translation
In Rome
16 When we arrived in Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier guarding him.
17 After three days Paul called the local Jewish leaders to a meeting. When they had gathered, he said to them, “My fellow Israelites, even though I did nothing against our people or the customs that we received from our ancestors, I was made a prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 After questioning me, the Romans wanted to release me, because they found that I had done nothing for which I deserved to die. 19 (A)But when the Jews opposed this, I was forced to appeal to the Emperor, even though I had no accusation to make against my own people. 20 That is why I asked to see you and talk with you. As a matter of fact, I am bound in chains like this for the sake of him for whom the people of Israel hope.”
21 They said to him, “We have not received any letters from Judea about you, nor have any of our people come from there with any news or anything bad to say about you. 22 But we would like to hear your ideas, because we know that everywhere people speak against this party to which you belong.”
23 So they set a date with Paul, and a large number of them came that day to the place where Paul was staying. From morning till night he explained to them his message about the Kingdom of God, and he tried to convince them about Jesus by quoting from the Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets. 24 Some of them were convinced by his words, but others would not believe. 25 So they left, disagreeing among themselves, after Paul had said this one thing: “How well the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Isaiah to your ancestors! 26 (B)For he said,
‘Go and say to this people:
You will listen and listen, but not understand;
you will look and look, but not see,
27 because this people's minds are dull,
and they have stopped up their ears
and closed their eyes.
Otherwise, their eyes would see,
their ears would hear,
their minds would understand,
and they would turn to me, says God,
and I would heal them.’”
28 And Paul concluded: “You are to know, then, that God's message of salvation has been sent to the Gentiles. They will listen!” 29 [a]
30 For two years Paul lived in a place he rented for himself, and there he welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He preached about the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking with all boldness and freedom.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 28:29 Some manuscripts add verse 29: After Paul said this, the Jews left, arguing violently among themselves.
Acts 28:16-31
New International Version
Acts 28:16-31
New International Version
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!
Footnotes
- Acts 28:27 Isaiah 6:9,10 (see Septuagint)
- Acts 28:29 Some manuscripts include here After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves.
Good News Translation (GNT) 
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New International Version (NIV) 
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