Safe at Malta

28 After we were safe [on land], we found out that the island was called ^[a]Malta. ² And the ^[b]natives showed us extraordinary kindness and hospitality; for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, since it had begun to rain and was cold. ³ But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a ^[c]viper crawled out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. ⁴ When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, Justice [the avenging goddess] has not permitted him to live.” ⁵ Then Paul [simply] shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. ⁶ But they stood watching and expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began saying that he was a god.

⁷ In the vicinity of that place there were estates belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed and entertained us hospitably for three days. ⁸ And it happened that the father of Publius was sick [in bed] with recurring attacks of fever and dysentery; and Paul went to him, and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. ⁹ After this occurred, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being healed. ¹⁰ They also gave us many honors [gifts and courtesies expressing respect]; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all the things we needed.

Paul Arrives at Rome

¹¹ At the end of three months we set sail on a ship which had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian ship with the ^[d]Twin Brothers [Castor and Pollux] as its figurehead. ¹² We landed at Syracuse [on Sicily] and stayed there three days. ¹³ From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium [on Italy’s southern tip]; and a day later a south wind came up, and on the second day we arrived at ^[e]Puteoli. ¹⁴ There we found some believers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. ¹⁵ And the brothers and sisters, having heard news about us, came from as far away as the ^[f]Forum of Appius and ^[g]Three Inns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and was encouraged.

¹⁶ When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself [in rented quarters] with the soldier who was guarding him.

¹⁷ Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Kinsmen, though I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our fathers, yet I was turned over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. ¹⁸ After they had interrogated me, they were ready to release me because I was not guilty of any offense deserving death. ¹⁹ But when the Jews objected [to my release], I was forced to appeal to Caesar (Emperor Nero), not because I had any charge to make against my nation. ²⁰ For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel (the Messiah, the resurrection) that I am bound with this chain.” ²¹ They said to him, “We have not received [any] letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the [Jewish] brothers come here and reported or said anything bad about you. ²² But we would like to hear from you what your views are [that is, exactly what you believe]; for in regard to this sect (Christianity), we are fully aware that it is denounced everywhere.”

²³ When they had set a day for Paul, they came to his lodging in large numbers. And he carefully explained [Christianity] to them from morning until evening, solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the [writings of the] Prophets. ²⁴ Some were persuaded by what he said, but others would not believe. ²⁵ They disagreed among themselves and they began to leave after Paul had made one last statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying, ²⁶ ‘Go to this people and say,

²⁸ Therefore let it be known to you that [this message of] the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they indeed will listen!”^{(B) 29 [h]}[And when he had said these things, the Jews left, arguing among themselves.]

³⁰ And Paul lived there for two full years [at his own expense] in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him, ³¹ preaching and proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness and boldness, unhindered and unrestrained.