Paul’s Ministry in Rome

¹⁷ And it happened that 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 delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. ¹⁸ And when they had ^(E)examined me, they ^(F)were willing to release me because there was ^(G)no ground ^[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, for I am wearing ^(I)this chain for ^(J)the sake of the hope of Israel.” ²¹ And they said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of ^(K)the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. ²² But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this ^(L)sect, it is known to us that ^(M)it is spoken against everywhere.”

²³ And when they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at ^(N)his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly ^(O)bearing witness 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)And some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others were not believing. ²⁵ And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, ²⁶ saying,

²⁸ Therefore let it be known to you that ^(U)this salvation of God was sent ^(V)to the Gentiles—they will also hear.” ^29 [i][When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]