在馬爾他島

28 我們安全上岸後,才知道那個島的名字叫馬爾他。 島上的居民對我們非常友善。因為下雨,天氣又冷,他們就生火接待我們。 保羅拿起一捆柴放進火堆裡,不料有一條毒蛇經不住熱鑽了出來,咬住了他的手。 那裡的居民看見毒蛇吊在保羅手上,就交頭接耳地說:「這人一定是個兇手,雖然僥倖沒有淹死,天理卻不容他活下去。」 可是保羅把蛇甩進火裡,並沒有受傷。 他們以為保羅的手一定會腫起來或者他會突然倒斃,但是等了很久,見他還是安然無恙,就改變了態度,說他是個神明。

那個島的首領名叫部百流,他的田產就在附近。他接待我們,熱情款待了我們三天。 當時,部百流的父親患痢疾,正發熱躺在床上。保羅去為他禱告,把手按在他身上治好了他。 這事以後,島上其他的病人都來了,他們都得了醫治。 10 他們處處尊敬我們,在我們啟航的時候,又贈送我們途中所需用的物品。

保羅抵達羅馬

11 三個月後,我們搭乘一艘停在該島過冬的船離開。這船叫「雙神號」,來自亞歷山大。 12 我們先到敘拉古港,在那裡停泊三天, 13 然後繼續前行,到達利基翁。第二天,起了南風,第三天我們抵達部丟利, 14 在那裡遇見幾位弟兄姊妹,應邀和他們同住了七天,然後前往羅馬。 15 那裡的弟兄姊妹聽說我們來了,便到亞比烏和三館迎接我們。保羅見到他們後,就感謝上帝,心中受到鼓勵。 16 進了羅馬城後,保羅獲准在衛兵的看守下自己一個人住。

繼續傳道

17 三天後,保羅請來當地猶太人的首領,對他們說:「弟兄們,雖然我沒有做過任何對不起同胞或違背祖先規矩的事,卻在耶路撒冷遭囚禁,又被交到羅馬人的手裡。 18 羅馬官員審訊了我,發現我沒有什麼該死的罪,想釋放我, 19 猶太人卻反對,我不得已只好上訴凱撒。我並非有什麼事要控告自己的同胞。 20 為此,我才請你們來當面談,我受捆綁是為了以色列人所盼望的那位。」

21 他們說:「猶太境內的同胞沒有給我們寫信提及你的事,也沒有弟兄到這裡說你的壞話。 22 不過,我們倒很想聽聽你的觀點,因為我們知道你們這一派的人到處受人抨擊。」

23 於是,他們和保羅約定了會面的日期。那一天,很多人來到保羅住的地方。從早到晚,保羅向他們傳揚上帝國的道,引用摩西律法和先知書勸他們相信有關耶穌的事。 24 有些人聽後相信了他的話,有些人不相信, 25 他們彼此意見不一。在他們散去之前,保羅說了一句話:「聖靈藉以賽亞先知對你們祖先所說的話真是一點不錯, 26 祂說,

『你去告訴百姓,
你們聽了又聽,卻不明白;
看了又看,卻不領悟。
27 因為這百姓心靈麻木,
耳朵發背,眼睛昏花,
以致眼睛看不見,
耳朵聽不見,心裡不明白,無法回心轉意,
得不到我的醫治。』

28 所以你們當知道,上帝的救恩已經傳給了外族人,他們也必聽。」

29 聽完保羅的話後,那些猶太人就回去了,他們中間起了激烈的爭論。[a]

30 後來,保羅租了一間房子,在那裡住了整整兩年,接待所有到訪的人。 31 他勇敢地傳講上帝的國,教導有關主耶穌基督的事,沒有受到任何攔阻。

Footnotes

  1. 28·29 有古卷無「聽完保羅的話後,那些猶太人就回去了,他們中間起了激烈的爭論。」

Paul’s Ministry on Malta

28 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that (A)the island was called Malta. And the (B)natives[a] showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” But he shook off the creature into the fire and (C)suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and (D)said that he was a god.

In that region there was an estate of the [b]leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and (E)prayed, and (F)he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. 10 They also honored us in many (G)ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were (H)necessary.

Arrival at Rome

11 After three months we sailed in (I)an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the [c]Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island. 12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. 13 From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, 14 where we found (J)brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. 15 And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16 Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but (K)Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

Paul’s Ministry at Rome

17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, (L)though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet (M)I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, (N)when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. 19 But when the [d]Jews spoke against it, (O)I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. 20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because (P)for the hope of Israel I am bound with (Q)this chain.”

21 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that (R)it is spoken against everywhere.”

23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, (S)to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus (T)from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And (U)some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to [e]our fathers, 26 saying,

(V)‘Go to this people and say:
“Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;
And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.” ’

28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent (W)to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” 29 [f]And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.

30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 (X)preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 28:2 Lit. barbarians
  2. Acts 28:7 Magistrate
  3. Acts 28:11 Gr. Dioskouroi, Zeus’s sons Castor and Pollux
  4. Acts 28:19 The ruling authorities
  5. Acts 28:25 NU your
  6. Acts 28:29 NU omits v. 29.

Paul on Malta

28 After we were brought safely through, (A)we then learned that (B)the island was called Malta. (C)The native people[a] showed us unusual (D)kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When (E)the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, (F)“No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, (G)Justice[b] has not allowed him to live.” He, however, (H)shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, (I)they changed their minds and (J)said that he was a god.

Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and (K)prayed, and (L)putting his hands on him, healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly,[c] and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

Paul Arrives at Rome

11 After three months we set sail in (M)a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods[d] as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found (N)brothers[e] and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And (O)the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, (P)Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, (Q)Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.

Paul in Rome

17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, (R)though I had done nothing against our people or (S)the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they (T)wished to set me at liberty, (U)because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled (V)to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against (W)my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is (X)because of (Y)the hope of Israel that I am wearing (Z)this (AA)chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of (AB)the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this (AC)sect we know that everywhere (AD)it is spoken against.”

23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening (AE)he expounded to them, testifying to (AF)the kingdom of God and (AG)trying to convince them about Jesus (AH)both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And (AI)some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: (AJ)“The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

26 (AK)“‘Go to this people, and say,
(AL)“You will indeed hear but never understand,
    and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 (AM)For this people's heart has grown dull,
    and with their ears they can barely hear,
    and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
    and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
    and (AN)turn, and I would heal them.’

28 Therefore let it be known to you that (AO)this (AP)salvation of God (AQ)has been sent to the Gentiles; (AR)they will listen.”[f]

30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense,[g] and (AS)welcomed all who came to him, 31 (AT)proclaiming (AU)the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ (AV)with all boldness and (AW)without hindrance.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 28:2 Greek barbaroi (that is, non–Greek speakers); also verse 4
  2. Acts 28:4 Or justice
  3. Acts 28:10 Greek honored us with many honors
  4. Acts 28:11 That is, the Greek gods Castor and Pollux
  5. Acts 28:14 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 15, 21
  6. Acts 28:28 Some manuscripts add verse 29: And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much dispute among themselves
  7. Acts 28:30 Or in his own hired dwelling