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.

Paul meets Jewish leaders in Rome

17 Three days later, Paul called the Jewish leaders together. When they gathered, he said, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I’m a prisoner from Jerusalem. They handed me over to the Romans, 18 who intended to release me after they examined me, because they couldn’t find any reason for putting me to death. 19 When the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar. Don’t think I appealed to Caesar because I had any reason to bring charges against my nation. 20 This is why I asked to see you and speak with you: it’s because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

21 They responded, “We haven’t received any letters about you from Judea, nor have any of our brothers come and reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we think it’s important to hear what you think, for we know that people everywhere are speaking against this faction.”

23 On the day scheduled for this purpose, many people came to the place where he was staying. From morning until evening, he explained and testified concerning God’s kingdom and tried to convince them about Jesus through appealing to the Law from Moses and the Prophets. 24 Some were persuaded by what he said, but others refused to believe. 25 They disagreed with each other and were starting to leave when Paul made one more statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke correctly when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,

26 Go to this people and say:
You will hear, to be sure, but never understand;
    and you will certainly see but never recognize what you are seeing.
27 This people’s senses have become calloused,
    and they’ve become hard of hearing,
    and they’ve shut their eyes
        so that they won’t see with their eyes
        or hear with their ears
        or understand with their minds,
            and change their hearts and lives that I may heal them.[a]

28 “Therefore, be certain of this: God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles. They will listen!”[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 28:27 Isa 6:9-10
  2. Acts 28:28 Critical editions of the Gk New Testament do not include 28:29 After he said this, the Jews left, debating among themselves.