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。”

Paul on the Island of Malta

28 When we were safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The people who lived on the island were unusually kind to us. They made a fire and welcomed all of us around it because of the rain and the cold.

Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire. The heat forced a poisonous snake out of the brushwood. The snake bit Paul’s hand and wouldn’t let go. When the people who lived on the island saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer! He may have escaped from the sea, but justice won’t let him live.”

Paul shook the snake into the fire and wasn’t harmed. The people were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they had waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

A man named Publius, who was the governor of the island, had property around the area. He welcomed us and treated us kindly, and for three days we were his guests. His father happened to be sick in bed. He was suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, placed his hands on him, and made him well.

After that had happened, other sick people on the island went to Paul and were made well. 10 They showed respect for us in many ways, and when we were going to set sail, they put whatever we needed on board.

Paul Sails from Malta to Rome

11 After three months we sailed on an Alexandrian ship that had spent the winter at the island. The ship had the gods Castor and Pollux carved on its front. 12 We stopped at the city of Syracuse and stayed there for three days. 13 We sailed from Syracuse and arrived at the city of Rhegium. The next day a south wind began to blow, and two days later we arrived at the city of Puteoli. 14 In Puteoli we discovered some believers who begged us to spend a week with them.

15 Believers in Rome heard that we were coming, so they came as far as the cities of Appius’ Market and Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and felt encouraged. So we finally arrived in the city of Rome.[a] 16 After our arrival, Paul was allowed to live by himself, but he had a soldier who guarded him.

Paul in Rome

17 After three days Paul invited the most influential Jews in Rome to meet with him. When they assembled, he said to them, “Brothers, I haven’t done anything against the Jewish people or violated the customs handed down by our ancestors. Yet, I’m a prisoner from Jerusalem, and I’ve been handed over to the Roman authorities. 18 The Roman authorities cross-examined me and wanted to let me go because I was accused of nothing for which I deserved to die. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal my case to the emperor. That doesn’t mean I have any charges to bring against my own people. 20 That’s why I asked to see you and speak with you. I’m wearing these chains because of what Israel hopes for.”

21 The Jewish leaders told Paul, “We haven’t received any letters from Judea about you, and no Jewish person who has come to Rome has reported or mentioned anything bad about you. 22 However, we would like to hear what you think. We know that everywhere people are talking against this sect.”

23 On a designated day a larger number of influential Jews than expected went to the place where Paul was staying. From morning until evening, Paul was explaining the kingdom of God to them. He was trying to convince them about Yeshua from Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets. 24 Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others continued to disbelieve.

25 The Jews, unable to agree among themselves, left after Paul had quoted this particular passage to them: “How well the Holy Spirit spoke to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah! 26 The Spirit said: ‘Go to these people and say,

“You will hear clearly but never understand.
    You will see clearly but never comprehend.
27 These people have become close-minded
    and hard of hearing.
        They have shut their eyes
            so that their eyes never see.
        Their ears never hear.
    Their minds never understand.
    And they never turn to me for healing.” ’

28 “You need to know that God has sent his salvation to people who are not Jews. They will listen.”[b]

30 Paul rented a place to live for two full years and welcomed everyone who came to him. 31 He spread the message about God’s kingdom and taught very boldly about the Lord Yeshua Christ. No one stopped him.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 28:15 The last sentence in verse 14 has been placed in verse 15 to express the complex Greek sentence structure more clearly in English.
  2. Acts 28:28 Some manuscripts and translations add verse 29: “After Paul said this, the Jews left. They argued intensely among themselves.”

Paul on the Island of Malta

28 When we were safe on land, we learned that the island was called Malta. The people who lived there were very good to us. Because it was raining and very cold, they made a fire and welcomed all of us. Paul gathered a pile of sticks and was putting them on the fire when a poisonous snake came out because of the heat and bit him on the hand. The people living on the island saw the snake hanging from Paul’s hand and said to each other, “This man must be a murderer! He did not die in the sea, but Justice[a] does not want him to live.” But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and was not hurt. The people thought that Paul would swell up or fall down dead. They waited and watched him for a long time, but nothing bad happened to him. So they changed their minds and said, “He is a god!”

There were some fields around there owned by Publius, an important man on the island. He welcomed us into his home and was very good to us for three days. Publius’ father was sick with a fever and dysentery.[b] Paul went to him, prayed, and put his hands on the man and healed him. After this, all the other sick people on the island came to Paul, and he healed them, too. 10-11 The people on the island gave us many honors. When we were ready to leave, three months later, they gave us the things we needed.

Paul Goes to Rome

We got on a ship from Alexandria that had stayed on the island during the winter. On the front of the ship was the sign of the twin gods.[c] 12 We stopped at Syracuse for three days. 13 From there we sailed to Rhegium. The next day a wind began to blow from the south, and a day later we came to Puteoli. 14 We found some believers there who asked us to stay with them for a week. Finally, we came to Rome. 15 The believers in Rome heard that we were there and came out as far as the Market of Appius[d] and the Three Inns[e] to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.

Paul in Rome

16 When we arrived at Rome, Paul was allowed to live alone, with the soldier who guarded him.

17 Three days later Paul sent for the leaders there. When they came together, he said, “Brothers, I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. But I was arrested in Jerusalem and given to the Romans. 18 After they asked me many questions, they could find no reason why I should be killed. They wanted to let me go free, 19 but the evil people there argued against that. So I had to ask to come to Rome to have my trial before Caesar. But I have no charge to bring against my own people. 20 That is why I wanted to see you and talk with you. I am bound with this chain because I believe in the hope of Israel.”

21 They answered Paul, “We have received no letters from Judea about you. None of our Jewish brothers who have come from there brought news or told us anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear your ideas, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this religious group.”

23 Paul and the people chose a day for a meeting and on that day many more of the Jews met with Paul at the place he was staying. He spoke to them all day long. Using the law of Moses and the prophets’ writings, he explained the kingdom of God, and he tried to persuade them to believe these things about Jesus. 24 Some believed what Paul said, but others did not. 25 So they argued and began leaving after Paul said one more thing to them: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

26 ‘Go to this people and say:
You will listen and listen, but you will not understand.
    You will look and look, but you will not learn,
27 because these people have become stubborn.
    They don’t hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise, they might really understand
    what they see with their eyes
    and hear with their ears.
They might really understand in their minds
    and come back to me and be healed.’ Isaiah 6:9–10

28 “I want you to know that God has also sent his salvation to all nations, and they will listen!” [29 After Paul said this, the Jews left. They were arguing very much with each other.][f]

30 Paul stayed two full years in his own rented house and welcomed all people who came to visit him. 31 He boldly preached about the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, and no one stopped him.

Footnotes

  1. 28:4 Justice The people thought there was a god named Justice who would punish bad people.
  2. 28:8 dysentery A sickness like diarrhea.
  3. 28:10–11 twin gods Statues of Castor and Pollux, gods in old Greek tales.
  4. 28:15 Market of Appius A town about twenty-seven miles from Rome.
  5. 28:15 Three Inns A town about thirty miles from Rome.
  6. 28:29 After . . . other. Some Greek copies do not contain the bracketed text.

Paul Ashore on Malta

28 Once safely on shore, we(A) found out that the island(B) was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand,(C) they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”(D) But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.(E) The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.(F)

There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer,(G) placed his hands on him(H) and healed him.(I) When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us(J) in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

Paul’s Arrival at Rome

11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship(K) with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters(L) who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters(M) there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.(N)

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.(O) When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers,(P) although I have done nothing against our people(Q) or against the customs of our ancestors,(R) I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me(S) and wanted to release me,(T) because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.(U) 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar.(V) 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(W) that I am bound with this chain.”(X)

21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people(Y) 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.”(Z)

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,(AA) and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets(AB) he tried to persuade them about Jesus.(AC) 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.(AD) 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(AE) 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;(AF)
    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](AG)

28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation(AH) has been sent to the Gentiles,(AI) 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(AJ) and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness(AK) and without hindrance!

Footnotes

  1. Acts 28:27 Isaiah 6:9,10 (see Septuagint)
  2. Acts 28:29 Some manuscripts include here After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves.