在马耳他岛上受到款待

28 我们获救以后才知道那岛叫做马耳他 那里的土人对我们非常友善。因为当时下着雨,又因为天气冷,他们就生了火接待我们大家。 保罗收集了一捆柴火,放在火堆上的时候,有一条毒蛇因热钻了出来,咬住[a]他的手。 那些土人一看见那毒蛇悬在他的手上,就彼此说:“这个人一定是个杀人犯!虽然从海里获救了,但天理还是不让他活着。” 可是保罗把那毒蛇甩在火里,没有受任何伤害。 他们本来以为他快要肿起来,或是突然倒下死去,然而等了很久,看见他没有任何异常,就改变了想法,说他是个神。

在马耳他岛上治病

在那个地方附近,有些田产是岛上首领普布利乌的。他欢迎我们,热情地招待了我们三天。 当时,普布利乌的父亲患热病和痢疾,躺在床上[b]保罗就进去为他祷告,按手在他身上,使他痊愈了。 这么一来,岛上其他有病的人也都来了,并且都得了痊愈。 10 他们十分尊重我们;开船的时候,还送上所需要的东西。

最终到达罗马

11 过了三个月,我们上了一条亚历山大的船起航。这船是在那海岛过冬的,以“宙斯双子神”为船头雕像。 12 我们在叙拉古靠岸,停留了三天, 13 又从那里绕道航行,到达利基翁。过了一天,刮起了南风,第二天我们就到了普特奥利 14 在那里找到一些弟兄,受邀请与他们同住了七天。

这样,我们来到了罗马 15 那里的弟兄们听说了有关我们的事,赶到阿比乌市场和三馆来迎接我们。保罗见到他们,就感谢神,得了勇气。 16 我们进了罗马以后,[c]保罗获准在一个士兵的看守之下,独自居住。

第一次会见罗马的犹太人

17 第三天,保罗[d]犹太人的首领们来。他们聚集了,保罗就对他们说:“各位兄弟,我没有做过任何反对我们民族或先祖规矩的事,却做为囚犯从耶路撒冷被交到罗马人手中。 18 他们审问我以后,因为没有处死我的任何理由,本来想要释放我。 19 但是由于犹太人反对,我被迫向凯撒上诉,并不是有什么事要控告自己的同胞。 20 因这理由,我请你们来见面谈话。其实我是为了以色列所盼望的事,才被这锁链捆锁的。”

21 他们对保罗说:“我们没有收到从犹太来的有关你的文件。来到这里的同胞[e]中,也没有人报告过或说过任何有关你的坏事。 22 不过我们觉得应该听听你的想法,因为我们确实知道有关这教派的事,它到处遭人反对。”

对保罗传道的反应

23 于是他们和保罗定好了日子,就有更多的人来到他的住所。保罗从早到晚对他们讲解,为神的国郑重地做见证,并且引用摩西的律法和先知书上有关耶稣的事来劝导他们。 24 对他所说的话,有些人信从了,有些人却不相信。

25 他们彼此不一致,开始散去,保罗就说了一句话:“圣灵藉着先知以赛亚对你们[f]祖先所说的是对的。 26 他说:

‘你去告诉这子民:
你们将听了又听,但绝不会领悟;
你们将看了又看,但绝不会明白;
27 因为这子民的心麻木了,
他们充耳不闻,眼睛闭着;
免得他们眼睛看见,耳朵听见,心里领悟,
回转过来,我就使他们痊愈。’[g]

28 所以你们应当知道:神的这救恩已经传给了外邦人,他们反倒会听!” 29 保罗说完这些话,犹太人就走了,彼此议论纷纷。[h]

保罗畅通无阻地传道

30 保罗在自己租的房子里住了整整两年,所有来到他那里的人,他都欢迎。 31 他宣讲神的国、教导有关主耶稣基督的事,满有胆量、没有拦阻。

Footnotes

  1. 使徒行传 28:3 咬住——或译作“缠住”。
  2. 使徒行传 28:8 在床上——辅助词语。
  3. 使徒行传 28:16 有古抄本附“百夫长把囚犯交给军队司令官。但”。
  4. 使徒行传 28:17 保罗——有古抄本作“他”。
  5. 使徒行传 28:21 同胞——原文直译“兄弟”。
  6. 使徒行传 28:25 你们——有古抄本作“我们”。
  7. 使徒行传 28:27 《以赛亚书》6:9-10。
  8. 使徒行传 28:29 有古抄本没有此节。

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.

Malta’s Hospitality

28 Once safely ashore, we(A) then learned that the island was called Malta.(B) The local people(C) showed us extraordinary kindness. They lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. When the local people saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man, no doubt, is a murderer. Even though he has escaped the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”(D) But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm.(E) They expected that he would begin to swell up or suddenly drop dead. After they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.(F)

Ministry in Malta

Now in the area around that place was an estate belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days. Publius’s father was in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, and praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him.(G) After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. 10 So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed.

Rome at Last

11 After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Gods[a] as its figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days. 13 From there, after making a circuit along the coast,[b] we reached Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers and sisters(H) and were invited to stay a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 Now the brothers and sisters from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 16 When we entered Rome,[c] Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who guarded him.(I)

Paul’s First Interview with Roman Jews

17 After three days he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.(J) 18 After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.(K) 19 Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar;(L) even though I had no charge to bring against my people. 20 For this reason I’ve asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I’m wearing this chain.”(M)

21 Then they said to him, “We haven’t received any letters about you from Judea. None of the brothers has come and reported or spoken anything evil about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, since we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”(N)

The Response to Paul’s Message

23 After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and testified about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.(O) 24 Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe.(P)

25 Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement:[d] “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your[e] ancestors through the prophet Isaiah 26 when he said,

Go to these people and say:
You will always be listening,
but never understanding;
and you will always be looking,
but never perceiving.
27 For the hearts of these people
have grown callous,
their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
otherwise they might see with their eyes
and hear with their ears,
understand with their heart
and turn,
and I would heal them.[f](Q)

28 Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”[g]

Paul’s Ministry Unhindered

30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God(R) and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness(S) and without hindrance.

Footnotes

  1. 28:11 Gk Dioscuri, twin sons of Zeus, Castor and Pollux
  2. 28:13 Other mss read From there, casting off,
  3. 28:16 Other mss add the centurion turned the prisoners over to the military commander; but
  4. 28:25 Or after they began to leave, Paul made one statement
  5. 28:25 Other mss read our
  6. 28:26–27 Is 6:9–10
  7. 28:28 Some mss include v. 29: After he said these things, the Jews departed, while engaging in a vigorous debate among themselves.

28 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.