The Way of Wisdom

(A)Wisdom has built her house;
    she has hewn her (B)seven (C)pillars.
She has (D)slaughtered her beasts; she has (E)mixed her wine;
    she has also (F)set her table.
She has (G)sent out her young women to (H)call
    from (I)the highest places in the town,
(J)“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    (K)To him who lacks sense she says,
“Come, (L)eat of my bread
    and (M)drink of (N)the wine I have mixed.
Leave (O)your simple ways,[a] and (P)live,
    (Q)and walk in the way of insight.”

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
    and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
(R)Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
    (S)reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
Give instruction[b] to a wise man, and he will be (T)still wiser;
    teach a righteous man, and he will (U)increase in learning.
10 (V)The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and (W)the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11 For by me (X)your days will be multiplied,
    and years will be added to your life.
12 (Y)If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
    if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

The Way of Folly

13 (Z)The woman Folly is (AA)loud;
    she is seductive[c] and (AB)knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house;
    she takes a seat on (AC)the highest places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by,
    who are (AD)going straight on their way,
16 (AE)“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    And to him who lacks sense she says,
17 (AF)“Stolen water is sweet,
    and (AG)bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know (AH)that the dead[d] are there,
    that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:6 Or Leave the company of the simple
  2. Proverbs 9:9 Hebrew lacks instruction
  3. Proverbs 9:13 Or full of simpleness
  4. Proverbs 9:18 Hebrew Rephaim

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

Wisdom has built(A) her house;
    she has set up[a] its seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;(B)
    she has also set her table.(C)
She has sent out her servants, and she calls(D)
    from the highest point of the city,(E)
    “Let all who are simple(F) come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(G) she says,
    “Come,(H) eat my food
    and drink the wine I have mixed.(I)
Leave your simple ways and you will live;(J)
    walk in the way of insight.”(K)

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.(L)
Do not rebuke mockers(M) or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.(N)
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.(O)

10 The fear of the Lord(P) is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One(Q) is understanding.(R)
11 For through wisdom[b] your days will be many,
    and years will be added to your life.(S)
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
    if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

13 Folly is an unruly woman;(T)
    she is simple and knows nothing.(U)
14 She sits at the door of her house,
    on a seat at the highest point of the city,(V)
15 calling out(W) to those who pass by,
    who go straight on their way,
16     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(X) she says,
17     “Stolen water is sweet;
    food eaten in secret is delicious!(Y)
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
    that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.(Z)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out
  2. Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me

Arrangement of the Camp

The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, (A)“The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers' houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side. Those to camp on the east side toward the sunrise shall be of the standard of the camp of Judah by their companies, the chief of the people of Judah being (B)Nahshon the son of Amminadab, his company as listed being 74,600. Those to camp next to him shall be the tribe of Issachar, the chief of the people of Issachar being Nethanel the son of Zuar, his company as listed being 54,400. Then the tribe of Zebulun, the chief of the people of Zebulun being Eliab the son of Helon, his company as listed being 57,400. All those listed of the camp of Judah, by their companies, were 186,400. (C)They shall set out first on the march.

10 “On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben by their companies, the chief of the people of Reuben being Elizur the son of Shedeur, 11 his company as listed being 46,500. 12 And those to camp next to him shall be the tribe of Simeon, the chief of the people of Simeon being Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, 13 his company as listed being 59,300. 14 Then the tribe of Gad, the chief of the people of Gad being Eliasaph the son of (D)Reuel, 15 his company as listed being 45,650. 16 All those listed of the camp of Reuben, by their companies, were 151,450. (E)They shall set out second.

17 (F)“Then the tent of meeting shall set out, with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camps; as they camp, so shall they set out, each in position, standard by standard.

18 “On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim by their companies, the chief of the people of Ephraim being Elishama the son of Ammihud, 19 his company as listed being 40,500. 20 And next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh, the chief of the people of Manasseh being Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, 21 his company as listed being 32,200. 22 Then the tribe of Benjamin, the chief of the people of Benjamin being Abidan the son of Gideoni, 23 his company as listed being 35,400. 24 All those listed of the camp of Ephraim, by their companies, were 108,100. (G)They shall set out third on the march.

25 “On the north side shall be the standard of the camp of Dan by their companies, the chief of the people of Dan being Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, 26 his company as listed being 62,700. 27 And those to camp next to him shall be the tribe of Asher, the chief of the people of Asher being Pagiel the son of Ochran, 28 his company as listed being 41,500. 29 Then the tribe of Naphtali, the chief of the people of Naphtali being Ahira the son of Enan, 30 his company as listed being 53,400. 31 All those listed of the camp of Dan were 157,600. (H)They shall set out last, standard by standard.”

32 These are the people of Israel as listed by their fathers' houses. All those listed in the camps by their companies were (I)603,550. 33 But (J)the Levites were not listed among the people of Israel, as the Lord commanded Moses.

34 Thus did the people of Israel. According to all that the Lord commanded Moses, (K)so they camped by their standards, and so they set out, each one in his clan, according to his fathers' house.

The Sons of Aaron

These are the generations of Aaron and Moses at the time when the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. These are the names of the sons of Aaron: (L)Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. These are the names of the sons of Aaron, (M)the anointed priests, (N)whom he ordained to serve as priests. (O)But Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father.

Duties of the Levites

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, (P)“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, (Q)as they minister at the tabernacle. They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle. And (R)you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are (S)wholly given to him from among the people of Israel. 10 And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and (T)they shall guard their priesthood. But if (U)any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death.”

11 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “Behold, (V)I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine, 13 for (W)all the firstborn are mine. (X)On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the Lord.”

14 And the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, 15 “List the sons of Levi, by fathers' houses and by clans; (Y)every male from a month old and upward you shall list.” 16 So Moses listed them according to the word of the Lord, as he was commanded. 17 (Z)And these were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon and Kohath and Merari. 18 And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: (AA)Libni and Shimei. 19 And the sons of Kohath by their clans: (AB)Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 20 And the sons of Merari by their clans: (AC)Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites, by their fathers' houses.

21 To Gershon belonged the clan of the Libnites and the clan of the Shimeites; these were the clans of the Gershonites. 22 Their listing according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward was[a] 7,500. 23 (AD)The clans of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle on the west, 24 with Eliasaph, the son of Lael as chief of the fathers' house of the Gershonites. 25 And the (AE)guard duty of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting involved (AF)the tabernacle, (AG)the tent with (AH)its covering, (AI)the screen for the entrance of the tent of meeting, 26 (AJ)the hangings of the court, (AK)the screen for the door of the court that is around the tabernacle and the altar, and (AL)its cords—all the service connected with these.

27 To Kohath belonged the clan of the (AM)Amramites and the clan of the Izharites and the clan of the Hebronites and the clan of the Uzzielites; these are the clans of the Kohathites. 28 According to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, there were 8,600, keeping guard over the sanctuary. 29 The clans of the sons of Kohath were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle, 30 with (AN)Elizaphan the son of Uzziel as chief of the fathers' house of the clans of the Kohathites. 31 And their guard duty involved (AO)the ark, (AP)the table, (AQ)the lampstand, (AR)the altars, the vessels of the sanctuary with which the priests minister, and (AS)the screen; all the service connected with these. 32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was to be chief over the chiefs of the Levites, and to have oversight of those who kept guard over the sanctuary.

33 To Merari belonged the clan of the Mahlites and the clan of the Mushites: these are the clans of Merari. 34 Their listing according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward was 6,200. 35 And the chief of the fathers' house of the clans of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail. They were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle. 36 (AT)And the appointed guard duty of the sons of Merari involved the (AU)frames of the tabernacle, (AV)the bars, (AW)the pillars, the bases, and all their accessories; all the service connected with these; 37 also (AX)the pillars around the court, with their bases and (AY)pegs and (AZ)cords.

38 Those who were to camp before the tabernacle on the east, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, were Moses and Aaron and his sons, (BA)guarding the sanctuary itself, to protect[b] the people of Israel. And any outsider who came near was to be put to death. 39 All those listed among the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron listed at the commandment of the Lord, by clans, all the males from a month old and upward, were (BB)22,000.

Redemption of the Firstborn

40 And the Lord said to Moses, “List all the firstborn males of the people of Israel, from a month old and upward, taking the number of their names. 41 (BC)And you shall take the Levites for me—I am the Lord—instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the people of Israel.” 42 So Moses listed all the firstborn among the people of Israel, as the Lord commanded him. 43 And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names, from a month old and upward as listed were 22,273.

44 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 45 (BD)“Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle. The Levites shall be mine: I am the Lord. 46 And (BE)as the redemption price for the 273 of the firstborn of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites, 47 you shall take (BF)five shekels[c] per head; you shall take them according to (BG)the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel of twenty gerahs[d]), 48 and give the money to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for those who are over.” 49 So Moses took the redemption money from those who were over and above those redeemed by the Levites. 50 From the firstborn of the people of Israel he took the money, (BH)1,365 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary. 51 And Moses (BI)gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 3:22 Hebrew their listing was
  2. Numbers 3:38 Hebrew guard
  3. Numbers 3:47 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams
  4. Numbers 3:47 A gerah was about 1/50 ounce or 0.6 gram

The Arrangement of the Tribal Camps

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: “The Israelites are to camp around the tent of meeting some distance from it, each of them under their standard(A) and holding the banners of their family.”

On the east, toward the sunrise, the divisions of the camp of Judah are to encamp under their standard. The leader of the people of Judah is Nahshon son of Amminadab.(B) His division numbers 74,600.

The tribe of Issachar(C) will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Issachar is Nethanel son of Zuar.(D) His division numbers 54,400.

The tribe of Zebulun will be next. The leader of the people of Zebulun is Eliab son of Helon.(E) His division numbers 57,400.

All the men assigned to the camp of Judah, according to their divisions, number 186,400. They will set out first.(F)

10 On the south(G) will be the divisions of the camp of Reuben under their standard. The leader of the people of Reuben is Elizur son of Shedeur.(H) 11 His division numbers 46,500.

12 The tribe of Simeon(I) will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Simeon is Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.(J) 13 His division numbers 59,300.

14 The tribe of Gad(K) will be next. The leader of the people of Gad is Eliasaph son of Deuel.[a](L) 15 His division numbers 45,650.

16 All the men assigned to the camp of Reuben,(M) according to their divisions, number 151,450. They will set out second.

17 Then the tent of meeting and the camp of the Levites(N) will set out in the middle of the camps. They will set out in the same order as they encamp, each in their own place under their standard.

18 On the west(O) will be the divisions of the camp of Ephraim(P) under their standard. The leader of the people of Ephraim is Elishama son of Ammihud.(Q) 19 His division numbers 40,500.

20 The tribe of Manasseh(R) will be next to them. The leader of the people of Manasseh is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.(S) 21 His division numbers 32,200.

22 The tribe of Benjamin(T) will be next. The leader of the people of Benjamin is Abidan son of Gideoni.(U) 23 His division numbers 35,400.

24 All the men assigned to the camp of Ephraim,(V) according to their divisions, number 108,100. They will set out third.(W)

25 On the north(X) will be the divisions of the camp of Dan under their standard.(Y) The leader of the people of Dan is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.(Z) 26 His division numbers 62,700.

27 The tribe of Asher will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Asher is Pagiel son of Okran.(AA) 28 His division numbers 41,500.

29 The tribe of Naphtali(AB) will be next. The leader of the people of Naphtali is Ahira son of Enan.(AC) 30 His division numbers 53,400.

31 All the men assigned to the camp of Dan number 157,600. They will set out last,(AD) under their standards.

32 These are the Israelites, counted according to their families.(AE) All the men in the camps, by their divisions, number 603,550.(AF) 33 The Levites, however, were not counted(AG) along with the other Israelites, as the Lord commanded Moses.

34 So the Israelites did everything the Lord commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each of them with their clan and family.

The Levites

This is the account of the family of Aaron and Moses(AH) at the time the Lord spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai.(AI)

The names of the sons of Aaron were Nadab the firstborn(AJ) and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.(AK) Those were the names of Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests,(AL) who were ordained to serve as priests. Nadab and Abihu, however, died before the Lord(AM) when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before him in the Desert of Sinai.(AN) They had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar(AO) served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.(AP)

The Lord said to Moses, “Bring the tribe of Levi(AQ) and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.(AR) They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community(AS) at the tent of meeting by doing the work(AT) of the tabernacle. They are to take care of all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, fulfilling the obligations of the Israelites by doing the work of the tabernacle. Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons;(AU) they are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to him.[b] 10 Appoint Aaron(AV) and his sons to serve as priests;(AW) anyone else who approaches the sanctuary is to be put to death.”(AX)

11 The Lord also said to Moses, 12 “I have taken the Levites(AY) from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring(AZ) of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine,(BA) 13 for all the firstborn are mine.(BB) When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, whether human or animal. They are to be mine. I am the Lord.”(BC)

14 The Lord said to Moses in the Desert of Sinai,(BD) 15 “Count(BE) the Levites by their families and clans. Count every male a month old or more.”(BF) 16 So Moses counted them, as he was commanded by the word of the Lord.

17 These were the names of the sons of Levi:(BG)

Gershon,(BH) Kohath(BI) and Merari.(BJ)

18 These were the names of the Gershonite clans:

Libni and Shimei.(BK)

19 The Kohathite clans:

Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.(BL)

20 The Merarite clans:(BM)

Mahli and Mushi.(BN)

These were the Levite clans, according to their families.

21 To Gershon(BO) belonged the clans of the Libnites and Shimeites;(BP) these were the Gershonite clans. 22 The number of all the males a month old or more who were counted was 7,500. 23 The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle.(BQ) 24 The leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael. 25 At the tent of meeting the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle(BR) and tent, its coverings,(BS) the curtain at the entrance(BT) to the tent of meeting,(BU) 26 the curtains of the courtyard(BV), the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar,(BW) and the ropes(BX)—and everything(BY) related to their use.

27 To Kohath(BZ) belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites;(CA) these were the Kohathite(CB) clans. 28 The number of all the males a month old or more(CC) was 8,600.[c] The Kohathites were responsible(CD) for the care of the sanctuary.(CE) 29 The Kohathite clans were to camp on the south side(CF) of the tabernacle. 30 The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan(CG) son of Uzziel. 31 They were responsible for the care of the ark,(CH) the table,(CI) the lampstand,(CJ) the altars,(CK) the articles(CL) of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain,(CM) and everything related to their use.(CN) 32 The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar(CO) son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible(CP) for the care of the sanctuary.(CQ)

33 To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites;(CR) these were the Merarite clans.(CS) 34 The number of all the males a month old or more(CT) who were counted was 6,200. 35 The leader of the families of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.(CU) 36 The Merarites were appointed(CV) to take care of the frames of the tabernacle,(CW) its crossbars,(CX) posts,(CY) bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use,(CZ) 37 as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard(DA) with their bases, tent pegs(DB) and ropes.

38 Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east(DC) of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, in front of the tent of meeting.(DD) They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary(DE) on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.(DF)

39 The total number of Levites counted(DG) at the Lord’s command by Moses and Aaron according to their clans, including every male a month old or more, was 22,000.(DH)

40 The Lord said to Moses, “Count all the firstborn Israelite males who are a month old or more(DI) and make a list of their names.(DJ) 41 Take the Levites for me in place of all the firstborn of the Israelites,(DK) and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites. I am the Lord.”(DL)

42 So Moses counted all the firstborn of the Israelites, as the Lord commanded him. 43 The total number of firstborn males a month old or more,(DM) listed by name, was 22,273.(DN)

44 The Lord also said to Moses, 45 “Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites are to be mine.(DO) I am the Lord.(DP) 46 To redeem(DQ) the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites, 47 collect five shekels[d](DR) for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel,(DS) which weighs twenty gerahs.(DT) 48 Give the money for the redemption(DU) of the additional Israelites to Aaron and his sons.”(DV)

49 So Moses collected the redemption money(DW) from those who exceeded the number redeemed by the Levites. 50 From the firstborn of the Israelites(DX) he collected silver weighing 1,365 shekels,[e](DY) according to the sanctuary shekel. 51 Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, as he was commanded by the word of the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 2:14 Many manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch and Vulgate (see also 1:14); most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text Reuel
  2. Numbers 3:9 Most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; some manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint (see also 8:16) to me
  3. Numbers 3:28 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts 8,300
  4. Numbers 3:47 That is, about 2 ounces or about 58 grams
  5. Numbers 3:50 That is, about 35 pounds or about 16 kilograms

Paul on Malta

28 After we were brought safely through, (A)we then learned that (B)the island was called Malta. (C)The native people[a] showed us unusual (D)kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When (E)the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, (F)“No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, (G)Justice[b] has not allowed him to live.” He, however, (H)shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, (I)they changed their minds and (J)said that he was a god.

Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and (K)prayed, and (L)putting his hands on him, healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly,[c] and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

Paul Arrives at Rome

11 After three months we set sail in (M)a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods[d] as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found (N)brothers[e] and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And (O)the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, (P)Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, (Q)Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.

Paul in Rome

17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, (R)though I had done nothing against our people or (S)the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they (T)wished to set me at liberty, (U)because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled (V)to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against (W)my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is (X)because of (Y)the hope of Israel that I am wearing (Z)this (AA)chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of (AB)the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this (AC)sect we know that everywhere (AD)it is spoken against.”

23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening (AE)he expounded to them, testifying to (AF)the kingdom of God and (AG)trying to convince them about Jesus (AH)both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And (AI)some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: (AJ)“The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

26 (AK)“‘Go to this people, and say,
(AL)“You will indeed hear but never understand,
    and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 (AM)For this people's heart has grown dull,
    and with their ears they can barely hear,
    and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
    and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
    and (AN)turn, and I would heal them.’

28 Therefore let it be known to you that (AO)this (AP)salvation of God (AQ)has been sent to the Gentiles; (AR)they will listen.”[f]

30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense,[g] and (AS)welcomed all who came to him, 31 (AT)proclaiming (AU)the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ (AV)with all boldness and (AW)without hindrance.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 28:2 Greek barbaroi (that is, non–Greek speakers); also verse 4
  2. Acts 28:4 Or justice
  3. Acts 28:10 Greek honored us with many honors
  4. Acts 28:11 That is, the Greek gods Castor and Pollux
  5. Acts 28:14 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 15, 21
  6. Acts 28:28 Some manuscripts add verse 29: And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much dispute among themselves
  7. Acts 28:30 Or in his own hired dwelling

Paul Ashore on Malta

28 Once safely on shore, we(A) found out that the island(B) was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand,(C) they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”(D) But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.(E) The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.(F)

There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer,(G) placed his hands on him(H) and healed him.(I) When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us(J) in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

Paul’s Arrival at Rome

11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship(K) with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters(L) who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters(M) there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.(N)

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.(O) When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers,(P) although I have done nothing against our people(Q) or against the customs of our ancestors,(R) I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me(S) and wanted to release me,(T) because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.(U) 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar.(V) 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(W) that I am bound with this chain.”(X)

21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people(Y) 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.”(Z)

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,(AA) and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets(AB) he tried to persuade them about Jesus.(AC) 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.(AD) 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(AE) 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;(AF)
    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](AG)

28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation(AH) has been sent to the Gentiles,(AI) and they will listen!” [29] [b]

30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God(AJ) and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness(AK) and without hindrance!

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.