Acts 28
Christian Standard Bible
Malta’s Hospitality
28 Once safely ashore, we(A) then learned that the island was called Malta.(B) 2 The local people(C) showed us extraordinary kindness. They lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. 3 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. 4 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) 5 But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm.(E) 6 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
7 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. 8 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) 9 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
- 28:11 Gk Dioscuri, twin sons of Zeus, Castor and Pollux
- 28:13 Other mss read From there, casting off,
- 28:16 Other mss add the centurion turned the prisoners over to the military commander; but
- 28:25 Or after they began to leave, Paul made one statement
- 28:25 Other mss read our
- 28:26–27 Is 6:9–10
- 28:28 Some mss include v. 29: After he said these things, the Jews departed, while engaging in a vigorous debate among themselves.
Acts 28
King James Version
28 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
2 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.
3 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.
4 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.
5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6 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.
7 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.
8 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.
9 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.
Acts 28
New King James Version
Paul’s Ministry on Malta
28 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that (A)the island was called Malta. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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.” 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and (C)suffered no harm. 6 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.
7 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. 8 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. 9 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
- Acts 28:2 Lit. barbarians
- Acts 28:7 Magistrate
- Acts 28:11 Gr. Dioskouroi, Zeus’s sons Castor and Pollux
- Acts 28:19 The ruling authorities
- Acts 28:25 NU your
- Acts 28:29 NU omits v. 29.
使 徒 行 傳 28
Chinese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version
保罗在马耳他岛上
28 大家安全上岸后，才知道这个岛名叫马耳他。 2 当地居民们对我们非常热情，他们生了一堆火，迎接我们大家，因为当时下雨天冷。 3 保罗又拾来了一堆柴火，放在火上。这时一条蛇因为热钻了出来，咬住了保罗的手， 4 当地居民看到蛇从保罗的手上垂下来，彼此便说道∶“这家伙肯定是个杀人犯，虽然他从海上逃了出来，义 [a]还是不让他活。” 5 但是保罗把蛇甩到了火里，自己一点也没受伤害。 6 他们原以为，他会肿胀或者突然倒地死去，可等了好久，什么异常现象都没看见，就改变了对他的看法，说他是个神。
7 离那个地方不远，酋长部百流有一些田产。他把我们迎到家里，热情地款待了我们三天。 8 酋长的父亲正患热病和痢疾，躺在床上。保罗走进屋去看望他。祷告一番之后，把手放在了他的身上，他便被治愈了。 9 此后，岛上有病的人都来了，并都得到了治疗。 10 他们给了我们很多礼物。当我们启程时，为我们备齐了所需的东西。
保罗去罗马
11 三个月以后，我们登上了一艘在马耳他过冬的船出海了。它来自亚力山太城，艏像是双神 [b]。 12 我们到了叙拉古，在那里呆了三天。 13 然后，又从那里出发，到了利基翁。一天后刮起了一阵南风。第二天我们来到了部丢利。 14 我们在那儿找到了一些兄弟。他们邀请我们在那里住了七天，然后，就这样，我们来到了罗马。 15 罗马的弟兄们已经听说了我们抵达的消息，便来到远至亚比乌 [c]和三馆 [d]去迎接我们。保罗看到他们时，就感谢上帝，并鼓起了勇气。
保罗在罗马
16 当我们到达罗马时，他们让保罗自己单住，让一个士兵看守他。 17 三天后，保罗把犹太首领们叫到一起，对他们说∶“兄弟们，虽然我没做过反对我们同胞和祖宗的习俗的事情，但在耶路撒冷，我却被做为囚徒交给了罗马人。 18 罗马人审问我之后，因为我没有犯下什么该判死刑的罪，要释放我。 19 可是，犹太人却反对，我便被迫向凯撒起诉，我没有任何控告来起诉我们的民族， 20 这是我请求见你们，与你们谈话的原因，我是因为以色列人的希望才被戴上这枷锁的。”
21 犹太首领们对保罗说∶“我们没有从犹大接到有关你的信。从那里来的兄弟们，也没有一个人说过你的坏话， 22 但是我们想听听你的观点，因为我们知道，这个教派处处受人反驳。”
23 于是，他们与保罗约定了聚会的日子。那天，有许多人来到了他住的地方。保罗从早到晚，向他们讲解并为上帝王国做了见证，并努力用摩西律法和先知著作，来使他们信服关于耶稣的事情。 24 对于他所说的话，有些人信服，而其他人却不信。 25 他说完这话后，这些人之间的意见不一致，他们便开始离开。临走之前，保罗对他们说了这些话：
“圣灵通过先知以赛亚对你们的祖先讲得多好啊。他说：
26 ‘你去告诉这个民族，
你们会听了又听，
但却不会理解：
你们将会看了又看，可却理解不了所看见的。
27 因为这个民族的心已变得如此地迟钝，
他们的耳朵听力有困难，
他们闭上了眼睛，
不然的话，他们的眼睛可以看见，
耳朵可以听见，
心会领悟，
在忏诲中归向我，
我会治愈他们的。’ (A)
28 因此，你们应该知道上帝的这个拯救已被传送给了外族人，他们是会听的！” 29 [e]
30 保罗在用自己的费用所租的房子里住了整整两年。这期间，他热情地接待了所有去看望他的人们。 31 他向人们宣告上帝王国，并教导主耶稣基督的事。他大胆地讲，而且也没有受到过任何阻碍。
Footnotes
- 使 徒 行 傳 28:4 义： 这些人认为有一名叫正义的神，他会惩罚坏人。
- 使 徒 行 傳 28:11 双神： 希腊神。
- 使 徒 行 傳 28:15 亚比乌： 离罗马有27英里。
- 使 徒 行 傳 28:15 三馆： 离罗马有30英里。
- 使 徒 行 傳 28:29 一些希腊本增有第二十九节，“保罗说了这话后，犹太人离开了，他们对彼此非常气愤。”
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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