¹⁶ Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but ^(A)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, ^(B)though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet ^(C)I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, ¹⁸ who, ^(D)when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. ¹⁹ But when the ^[a]Jews spoke against it, ^(E)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 ^(F)for the hope of Israel I am bound with ^(G)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 ^(H)it is spoken against everywhere.”

²³ So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, ^(I)to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus ^(J)from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. ²⁴ And ^(K)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 ^[b]our fathers, ²⁶ saying,

²⁸ “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent ^(M)to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” ^29 [c]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 (N)preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

^20 (A)And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by ^(B)consenting ^[a]to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’

^4 (A)Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. ⁵ For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Present Condition of Israel

³⁰ What shall we say then? ^(A)That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, ^(B)even the righteousness of faith; ³¹ but Israel, ^(C)pursuing the law of righteousness, ^(D)has not attained to the law ^[a]of righteousness. ³² Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, ^[b]by the works of the law. For ^(E)they stumbled at that stumbling stone. ³³ As it is written:

¹² For the word of God is ^(A)living and powerful, and ^(B)sharper than any ^(C)two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is ^(D)a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ^13 (E)And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are ^(F)naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Greeting and Blessing

²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren ^(A)who are with me greet you. ²² All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.

²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with ^[a]you all. Amen.