17 After three days [a]Paul called together those who were (A)the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “(B)Brothers, (C)though I had done nothing against our people or (D)the customs of our [b]fathers, yet I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. 18 And when they had (E)examined me, they (F)were willing to release me because there were (G)no grounds [c]for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews [d]objected, I was forced to (H)appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I [e]requested to see you and to speak with you, since I am wearing (I)this chain for (J)the sake of the hope of Israel.” 21 They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of (K)the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what [f]your views are; for regarding this (L)sect, it is known to us that (M)it is spoken against everywhere.”

23 When they had set a day for [g]Paul, people came to him at (N)his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly (O)testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, (P)from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 (Q)Some were being persuaded by the things said by Paul, but others would not believe. 25 And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul said one parting statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying,

(R)Go to this people and say,
[h](S)You will keep on hearing, and will not understand;
And [i]you will keep on seeing, and will not perceive;
27 (T)For the hearts of this people have become [j]insensitive,
And with their ears they [k]hardly hear,
And they have closed their eyes;
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return,
And I would heal them.”’

28 Therefore, let it be known to you that (U)this salvation of God has been sent (V)to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”[l]

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 28:17 Lit he
  2. Acts 28:17 Or forefathers
  3. Acts 28:18 Lit of death in me
  4. Acts 28:19 Lit spoke against
  5. Acts 28:20 Or invited you to see me and speak with me
  6. Acts 28:22 Lit you think
  7. Acts 28:23 Lit him
  8. Acts 28:26 Lit with a hearing you will hear
  9. Acts 28:26 Lit seeing you will see
  10. Acts 28:27 Lit dull
  11. Acts 28:27 Or are hard of hearing
  12. Acts 28:28 Late mss add as v 29: When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.

Paul in Rome

17 Three days later, Paul[a] called the leaders of the Jews together. When they assembled, he told them, “Brothers, although I haven’t done anything against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to let me go because there was no reason for me to receive[b] the death penalty in my case. 19 But the Jews objected and forced me to appeal to the emperor, even though I have no countercharge to bring against my own people. 20 That’s why I asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the hope of Israel that I’m wearing this chain.”

21 The Jewish leaders[c] told him, “We haven’t received any letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or mentioned anything bad about you. 22 However, we’d like to hear from you what you believe, because people are talking against this sect everywhere.” 23 So they set a day to meet with Paul[d] and came out in large numbers to see him where he was staying.

From morning until evening, he continued to explain the kingdom of God to them, trying to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. 24 Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others wouldn’t believe. 25 They disagreed with one another as they were leaving, so Paul added this statement: “The Holy Spirit was so right when he spoke to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah! 26 He said,

‘Go to this people and say,
    “You will listen and listen
        but never understand,
    and you will look and look
        but never see!
27 For this people’s minds[e] have become stupid,
    and their ears can barely hear,
and they have shut their eyes
    so that they may never see with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
    and understand with their heart
and turn and let me heal them.”’[f]

28 You must understand that this message about[g] God’s salvation has been sent to the gentiles, and they will listen.”[h]

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 28:17 Lit. he
  2. Acts 28:18 The Gk. lacks me to receive
  3. Acts 28:21 Lit. They
  4. Acts 28:23 Lit. him
  5. Acts 28:27 Lit. heart
  6. Acts 28:27 Cf. Isa 6:9-10
  7. Acts 28:28 The Gk. lacks message about
  8. Acts 28:28 Other mss. read will listen. 29 When he had said these words, the Jews left, arguing intensely among themselves.

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

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

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

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,(M) and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets(N) he tried to persuade them about Jesus.(O) 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.(P) 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(Q) 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;(R)
    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](S)

28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation(T) has been sent to the Gentiles,(U) and they will listen!” [29] [b]

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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.