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.

17 And it came to pass, that after three days he called together [a]those that were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans: 18 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, 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 aught whereof to accuse my nation. 20 For this cause therefore did I [b]entreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.

23 And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers, 26 saying,

[c]Go thou unto this people, and say,
By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand;
And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:
27 For this people’s heart is waxed gross,
And their ears are dull of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed;
Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart,
And should turn again,
And I should heal them.

28 Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 28:17 Or, those that were of the Jews first
  2. Acts 28:20 Or, call for you, to see and to speak with you
  3. Acts 28:26 Isa. 6:9, 10.
  4. Acts 28:28 Some ancient authorities insert verse 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much disputing among themselves.