On the Island of Malta

28 And when ^(A)they had been brought safely through to shore, ^(B)then we learned that ^(C)the island was called ^[a]Malta. ^2 (D)And the ^[b]natives showed us extraordinary affection; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and ^(E)received us all. ³ But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out ^[c]because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. ⁴ And when ^(F)the ^[d]natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “^(G)Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, ^[e]Justice has not allowed him to live.” ⁵ However ^(H)he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. ⁶ But they were waiting for him to soon swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, changing their minds, they ^(I)began to say that he was a god.

⁷ Now in the areas around that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. ⁸ And it happened that the father of Publius was lying afflicted with fever and dysentery; and Paul, going to see him and having ^(J)prayed, ^(K)laid his hands on him and healed him. ⁹ And after this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being healed. ¹⁰ They also bestowed on us many honors of respect; and when we were setting sail, they ^[f]supplied us with ^[g]all we needed.

Paul Arrives in Rome

¹¹ Now at the end of three months we set sail on ^(L)an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had ^[h]the Twin Brothers for its figurehead. ¹² After we put into Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. ¹³ From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and after a day when a south wind sprang up, on the second day we came to Puteoli. ^14 [i]There we found some ^(M)brothers, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome. ¹⁵ And the ^(N)brothers, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the ^[j]Market of Appius and ^[k]Three Inns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

¹⁶ And when we entered Rome, Paul was ^(O)allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

Paul’s Ministry in Rome

¹⁷ And it happened that after three days ^[l]Paul called together those who were ^(P)the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “^(Q)Brothers, ^(R)though I had done nothing against our people or ^(S)the customs of our ^[m]fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. ¹⁸ And when they had ^(T)examined me, they ^(U)were willing to release me because there was ^(V)no ground ^[n]for putting me to death. ¹⁹ But when the Jews ^[o]objected, I was forced to ^(W)appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. ²⁰ For this reason, therefore, I ^[p]requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing ^(X)this chain for ^(Y)the sake of the hope of Israel.” ²¹ And they said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of ^(Z)the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. ²² But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this ^(AA)sect, it is known to us that ^(AB)it is spoken against everywhere.”

²³ And when they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at ^(AC)his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly ^(AD)bearing witness about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, ^(AE)from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. ^24 (AF)And some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others were not believing. ²⁵ And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, ²⁶ saying,

²⁸ Therefore let it be known to you that ^(AJ)this salvation of God was sent ^(AK)to the Gentiles—they will also hear.” ^29 [t][When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]

³⁰ And he stayed two full years ^[u]in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, ^31 [v](AL)preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ ^(AM)with all confidence, unhindered.