在马耳他岛

28 我们安全上岸后,才知道那个岛的名字叫马耳他。 岛上的居民对我们非常友善。因为下雨,天气又冷,他们就生火接待我们。 保罗拿起一捆柴放进火堆里,不料有一条毒蛇经不住热钻了出来,咬住了他的手。 那里的居民看见毒蛇吊在保罗手上,就交头接耳地说:“这人一定是个凶手,虽然侥幸没有淹死,天理却不容他活下去。” 可是保罗把蛇甩进火里,并没有受伤。 他们以为保罗的手一定会肿起来或者他会突然倒毙,但是等了很久,见他还是安然无恙,就改变了态度,说他是个神明。

那个岛的首领名叫部百流,他的田产就在附近。他接待我们,热情款待了我们三天。 当时,部百流的父亲患痢疾,正发热躺在床上。保罗去为他祷告,把手按在他身上治好了他。 这事以后,岛上其他的病人都来了,他们都得了医治。 10 他们处处尊敬我们,在我们启航的时候,又赠送我们途中所需用的物品。

保罗抵达罗马

11 三个月后,我们搭乘一艘停在该岛过冬的船离开。这船叫“双神号”,来自亚历山大。 12 我们先到叙拉古港,在那里停泊三天, 13 然后继续前行,到达利基翁。第二天,起了南风,第三天我们抵达部丢利, 14 在那里遇见几位弟兄姊妹,应邀和他们同住了七天,然后前往罗马。 15 那里的弟兄姊妹听说我们来了,便到亚比乌和三馆迎接我们。保罗见到他们后,就感谢上帝,心中受到鼓励。 16 进了罗马城后,保罗获准在卫兵的看守下自己一个人住。

继续传道

17 三天后,保罗请来当地犹太人的首领,对他们说:“弟兄们,虽然我没有做过任何对不起同胞或违背祖先规矩的事,却在耶路撒冷遭囚禁,又被交到罗马人的手里。 18 罗马官员审讯了我,发现我没有什么该死的罪,想释放我, 19 犹太人却反对,我不得已只好上诉凯撒。我并非有什么事要控告自己的同胞。 20 为此,我才请你们来当面谈,我受捆绑是为了以色列人所盼望的那位。”

21 他们说:“犹太境内的同胞没有给我们写信提及你的事,也没有弟兄到这里说你的坏话。 22 不过,我们倒很想听听你的观点,因为我们知道你们这一派的人到处受人抨击。”

23 于是,他们和保罗约定了会面的日期。那一天,很多人来到保罗住的地方。从早到晚,保罗向他们传扬上帝国的道,引用摩西律法和先知书劝他们相信有关耶稣的事。 24 有些人听后相信了他的话,有些人不相信, 25 他们彼此意见不一。在他们散去之前,保罗说了一句话:“圣灵借以赛亚先知对你们祖先所说的话真是一点不错, 26 祂说,

“‘你去告诉百姓,
你们听了又听,却不明白;
看了又看,却不领悟。
27 因为这百姓心灵麻木,
耳朵发背,眼睛昏花,
以致眼睛看不见,
耳朵听不见,心里不明白,无法回心转意,
得不到我的医治。’

28 所以你们当知道,上帝的救恩已经传给了外族人,他们也必听。”

29 听完保罗的话后,那些犹太人就回去了,他们中间起了激烈的争论。[a]

30 后来,保罗租了一间房子,在那里住了整整两年,接待所有到访的人。 31 他勇敢地传讲上帝的国,教导有关主耶稣基督的事,没有受到任何拦阻。

Footnotes

  1. 28:29 有古卷无“听完保罗的话后,那些犹太人就回去了,他们中间起了激烈的争论。”

保罗在马尔他岛上的经历

28 我们脱险之后,才知道那岛名叫马尔他。 当地的人对我们非常友善;因为下过一场雨,天气又冷,他们就生了火来招待我们。 保罗拾了一捆干柴,放在火上的时候,有一条毒蛇,受不住热,爬了出来,缠住他的手。 当地的人看见那条蛇悬在他手上,就彼此说:“这个人一定是凶手,虽然从海里脱险,天理也不容他活着!” 但是保罗却把那条蛇抖在火里,自己一点也没有受伤。 他们等着看他发肿,或者忽然暴毙。但等了很久,见他平安无事,就转念说,他是个神明。 那地附近有些田产,是岛上的首领部百流所拥有的。他欢迎我们,善意招待我们三天。 那时,部百流的父亲患了痢疾,发热卧病在床,保罗到他那里,为他祈祷按手,医好了他。 这么一来,岛上其他有病的都来了,也都治好了。 10 他们多方面尊敬我们;到开船的时候,又把我们所需要的东西送来。

保罗抵达罗马

11 过了三个月,我们上了一艘亚历山太来的船。这船在岛上过冬,船的名字是“宙斯双子”。 12 到了叙拉古,我们停留了三天。 13 从那里绕道航行,来到利基翁。过了一天,起了南风,第二天到达部丢利。 14 我们在那里遇见一些弟兄,他们邀请我们一同住了七天。这样,我们就来到了罗马。 15 弟兄们听到了我们的消息,就从罗马出来,在亚比乌和三馆迎接我们。保罗见了他们,就感谢 神,胆子也壮了起来。

保罗在罗马传道

16 我们到了罗马,保罗获准独自与看守他的士兵居住。 17 过了三天,保罗请犹太人的首领来。他们都到了,保罗说:“各位弟兄,我虽然没有作过甚么事反对人民或者反对祖先的规例,却像囚犯被逮捕,从耶路撒冷交到罗马人的手里。 18 他们审讯之后,因为在我身上没有甚么该死的罪,就想要释放我。 19 可是犹太人反对,我迫不得已才上诉凯撒,并不是有甚么事要控告我的国民。 20 因此,我请你们来见面谈谈。我原是为了以色列的盼望,才带上这条锁炼的。” 21 他们说:“我们没有收到犹太来的信,是提到你的,弟兄中也没有人来报告,或说你甚么坏话。 22 但我们觉得应该听听你本人的意见,因为关于这教派,我们知道是到处遭人反对的。”

23 他们和保罗约好了一个日子,到那日有很多人到他的住所来见他。他从早到晚向他们讲解,为 神的国竭力作见证,引用摩西的律法和先知的话劝他们信耶稣。 24 他所说的话,有人信服,也有人不信。 25 他们彼此不合,就分散了。未散以前,保罗说了几句话:“圣灵藉以赛亚先知对你们祖先所说的,一点不错。 26 他说:

‘你去告诉这人民:

你们听是听见了,总是不明白;

看是看见了,总是不领悟。

27 因为这人民的心思迟钝,

用不灵的耳朵去听,

又闭上了眼睛;

免得自己眼睛看见,

耳朵听见,

心里明白,回转过来,

我就医好他们。’

28 所以你们应当知道, 神这救恩,已经传给外族人,他们也必听从。”(有些抄本在此有第29节:“他说了这话,犹太人中间大起争论,就走了。”)

30 保罗在自己所租的房子里,住了整整两年。凡来见他的人,他都接待, 31 并且放胆地传讲 神的国,教导有关主耶稣基督的事,没有受到甚么禁止。

Paul on Malta

28 And after we[a] were brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. And the local inhabitants showed extraordinary[b] kindness to us, for they lit a fire and[c] welcomed us all, because of the rain that had begun and because of the cold. And when[d] Paul had gathered a large number of sticks and was placing them[e] on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and[f] fastened itself on his hand. And when the local people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying[g] to one another, “Doubtless this man is a murderer whom, although he[h] was rescued from the sea, Justice[i] has not permitted to live!” He, in turn, shook off the creature into the fire and[j] suffered no harm. But they were expecting that he was going to swell up[k] or suddenly to fall down dead. So after[l] they had waited for a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and[m] began saying[n] that he was a god.

Now in the regions around that place were fields belonging to the chief official of the island, named[o] Publius, who welcomed us and[p] entertained us[q] hospitably for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius was lying down, afflicted with fever and dysentery. Paul went[r] to him[s] and after[t] praying, he placed his[u] hands on him and[v] healed him. And after[w] this had taken place, the rest of those on the island who had diseases were coming and being healed also. 10 They also honored us with many honors, and when we[x] were putting out to sea, they gave us[y] the things we needed.[z]

Paul Arrives in Rome at Last

11 Now after three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian one with the twin gods Castor and Pollux as its insignia.[aa] 12 And putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 13 From there we got underway[ab] and[ac] arrived at Rhegium, and after one day a south wind came up and[ad] on the second day we came to Puteoli, 14 where we found brothers, and[ae] were implored to stay with them seven days. And in this way we came to Rome. 15 And from there the brothers, when they[af] heard the news about us, came to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns. When he[ag] saw them, Paul gave thanks to God and[ah] took courage. 16 And when we entered into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who was guarding him.

Paul and the Jewish Community in Rome

17 Now it happened that after three days, he called together those who were the most prominent of the Jews. And when[ai] they had assembled, he said to them, “Men and brothers, although[aj] I had done nothing against our[ak] people or the customs of our fathers, from Jerusalem I was delivered as a prisoner into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, when they[al] had examined me, were wanting to release me,[am] because there was no basis for an accusation worthy of death with me. 19 But because[an] the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar (not as if I[ao] had any charge to bring against my own people).[ap] 20 Therefore for this reason I have requested to see you and to speak with you,[aq] for because of the hope of Israel I am wearing this chain!” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters about you from Judea, nor has any of the brothers come and[ar] reported or spoken anything evil about you. 22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, for concerning this sect it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.”

23 And when they[as] had set a day with him, many more came to him at his lodging place, to whom he was explaining from early in the morning until evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and attempting to convince[at] them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets. 24 And some were convinced by[au] what was said, but others refused to believe. 25 So being in disagreement with one another, they began to leave after[av] Paul made one statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through the prophet Isaiah to your fathers, 26 saying,

‘Go to this people and say,
    You will keep on hearing[aw] and will never understand,
and you will keep on seeing[ax] and will never perceive.
27     For the heart of this people has become dull,
and with their[ay] ears they hear with difficulty,
    and they have shut their eyes,
lest they see with their[az] eyes,
    and hear with their[ba] ears,
    and understand with their[bb] heart,
and turn, and I would heal them.”’[bc]

28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. They also will listen!”[bd]

30 So he stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 28:1 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“were brought safely through”) which is understood as temporal
  2. Acts 28:2 Literally “not the ordinary”
  3. Acts 28:2 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“lit”) has been translated as a finite verb
  4. Acts 28:3 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had gathered”)
  5. Acts 28:3 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  6. Acts 28:3 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came out”) has been translated as a finite verb
  7. Acts 28:4 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began saying”)
  8. Acts 28:4 Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was rescued”) which is understood as concessive
  9. Acts 28:4 Here personified as a goddess
  10. Acts 28:5 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“shook off”) has been translated as a finite verb
  11. Acts 28:6 Or “to burn with fever” (either meaning is possible here)
  12. Acts 28:6 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had waited”)
  13. Acts 28:6 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“changed their minds”) has been translated as a finite verb
  14. Acts 28:6 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began saying”)
  15. Acts 28:7 Literally “by name”
  16. Acts 28:7 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“welcomed”) has been translated as a finite verb
  17. Acts 28:7 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  18. Acts 28:8 Here this participle (“went”) has been translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style
  19. Acts 28:8 Literally “whom”
  20. Acts 28:8 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“praying”) which is understood as temporal
  21. Acts 28:8 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  22. Acts 28:8 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“placed”) has been translated as a finite verb
  23. Acts 28:9 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had taken place”)
  24. Acts 28:10 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“putting out to sea”) which is understood as temporal
  25. Acts 28:10 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  26. Acts 28:10 Literally “for the needs”
  27. Acts 28:11 Literally “marked with the Dioscuri” (a joint name for the twin gods Castor and Pollux)
  28. Acts 28:13 Or “we sailed along” (with “the coast” understood); the exact meaning of the text as it stands is disputed and various additional terms have to be supplied in any case
  29. Acts 28:13 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got underway”) has been translated as a finite verb
  30. Acts 28:13 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  31. Acts 28:14 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“found”) has been translated as a finite verb
  32. Acts 28:15 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  33. Acts 28:15 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  34. Acts 28:15 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“gave thanks”) has been translated as a finite verb
  35. Acts 28:17 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had assembled”)
  36. Acts 28:17 Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had done”) which is understood as concessive
  37. Acts 28:17 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  38. Acts 28:18 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had examined”) which is understood as temporal
  39. Acts 28:18 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  40. Acts 28:19 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the causal genitive absolute participle (“objected”)
  41. Acts 28:19 Here “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had”) which is understood as concessive
  42. Acts 28:19 Or “nation”
  43. Acts 28:20 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  44. Acts 28:21 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“come”) has been translated as a finite verb
  45. Acts 28:23 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had set”) which is understood as temporal
  46. Acts 28:23 Here the present tense has been translated as conative (“attempting to convince”)
  47. Acts 28:24 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“what was said”) which is understood as means
  48. Acts 28:25 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“made”)
  49. Acts 28:26 Literally “hearing you will hear”
  50. Acts 28:26 Literally “seeing you will see”
  51. Acts 28:27 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  52. Acts 28:27 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  53. Acts 28:27 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  54. Acts 28:27 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  55. Acts 28:27 A quotation from Isa 6:9–10
  56. Acts 28:28 Some later manuscripts include v. 29: “And when he had said these things, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.”