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17 After three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me. 19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation. 20 For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

21 They said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”

23 When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening. 24 Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying,

‘Go to this people and say,
in hearing, you will hear,
    but will in no way understand.
In seeing, you will see,
    but will in no way perceive.
27 For this people’s heart has grown callous.
    Their ears are dull of hearing.
    Their eyes they have closed.
Lest they should see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their heart,
    and would turn again,
    then I would heal them.’Isaiah 6:9-10

28 “Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will listen.”

29 When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 28:29 NU omits verse 29.

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.(A) 18 After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.(B) 19 Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar;(C) 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.”(D)

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.”(E)

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.(F) 24 Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe.(G)

25 Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement:[a] “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your[b] 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.[c](H)

28 Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”[d]

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Footnotes

  1. 28:25 Or after they began to leave, Paul made one statement
  2. 28:25 Other mss read our
  3. 28:26–27 Is 6:9–10
  4. 28:28 Some mss include v. 29: After he said these things, the Jews departed, while engaging in a vigorous debate among themselves.