Acts 28 And so, after having been preserved through the midst of the sea, we at that point recognized (or: learned; or: came to accurately know by experience) that the island is normally being called Melita.

JMNT⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ And so, after having been preserved through the midst [of the sea], we at that point recognized (or: learned; or: came to accurately know by experience) that the island is normally being called Melita. ² More than this, the foreign-speaking people (or: barbarians; non-Greek-speaking natives or local inhabitants) happening to meet [us] continued to extend to us extraordinary human kindness and affection, for after kindling a fire, they took us all [in] (= extended hospitality to all of us) because of the imminent rain, and because of the cold. ³ Now at Paul's gathering together a large bundle of some dry sticks and then placing it upon the fire, a viper (poisonous snake), coming out [of the bundle] away from the heat, fastened [itself] down on his hand. ⁴ So as the native people (barbarians; non-Greek speakers) saw the little beast hanging and continuing suspended from his hand, they began saying to one another, "Undoubtedly (or: By all means) this person is a murderer whom – though having been brought safely through from out of the sea – Justice does not allow to continue living." ⁵ But then, after shaking the little beast off into the fire, he experienced nothing bad, ⁶ yet they continued apprehensively anticipating (or: expecting) him to be about to be caused to swell and burn with a fever and inflammation, or else to suddenly fall down (or: drop) dead. So with their continuing in anticipation for a long time and yet observing nothing out of place (= unusual) being birthed into (or: happening to) him, then progressively casting themselves into a change [of perspective and opinion], one after another they went to laying out [the conclusions for] him to be a god (or: they went to speaking [of] him being a deity, or, a divine person). ⁷ Now in the [areas; regions; (= neighborhoods)] around that place were estates (or: properties) belonging to the first man (= foremost resident; or: = governor [as a title]) of the island, named Publius, who – after taking [us] up and welcomingly receiving [us] with embraces – lodged us as guests [for] three days, in a loving and friendly manner. ⁸ But it had happened (or: occurred) [for] the father of Publius to be constantly bed-ridden (continuously lying down) while being continuously gripped by intermittent fevers and dysentery (an intestinal infection), to whom Paul was entering and then speaking toward having goodness and well-being (or: praying). After placing [his] hands on him, he healed him. ⁹ So in relation to this happening, the rest of the folks in the island also, [who were] presently having weaknesses and illnesses, began approaching in a steady procession, and then were being treated or cured, one after another – ¹⁰ who also honored us with many things of value (gifts), and later, while proceeding in being put to sea, they loaded on [board] the things with a view towards [our] needs. ¹¹ So now, after three months, we were put to sea in an Alexandrian ship – with the ensign (figures painted on each side of the prow) "Sons of Zeus (or: Castor and Pollux; Dioscuri)" – which had wintered in the island. ¹² Later, putting into port at Syracuse, we remained [there] (or: stayed) three days. ¹³ From there, tacking about, we arrived at Rhegium. Then with a south wind coming on [us] after one day, we came into Puteoli on the second day, ¹⁴ where, upon finding brothers (= fellow believers), we were called to [their] side and encouraged to stay on [for] seven days. And so in this way we came into Rome. ¹⁵ And now from there, the brothers (= fellow believers there) – after hearing the things about us – came unto a meeting with us (or: = came to meet us), as far as the Market Place of Appius (or: Appii Forum) and Three Taverns (or: Inns; Shops), upon seeing whom, Paul, while speaking of the good favor in God (or: in giving thanks to God), received courage and confidence. ¹⁶ Now when we entered into Rome, it was permitted for Paul to continue dwelling (or: to proceed staying; to be remaining) by himself, along with the soldier presently guarding him. ¹⁷ Then, after three days, he happened to call to himself the folks being the foremost (those in the leading circle in the community) of the Jews. So upon their coming together, he proceeded to say to them, "Men... Brothers! I myself, having done nothing contrary (or: not one thing in opposition) to the People, nor to the customs of the fathers (or: the paternal and hereditary traditions), was from the midst of Jerusalem handed over [as] a prisoner into the hands of the Romans, ¹⁸ "which folks, after fully examining me and coming up with a decision, were wanting and intending to release [me], because not even one cause for death is to proceed in making a foundational beginning or to continue being an undergirding possession within me. ¹⁹ "Yet with the Jews incessantly speaking against [this], I was compelled to call upon (or: appeal to) Caesar – yet not as though having anything [of which] to be now accusing or bringing charges against my own ethnic and cultural group (or: nation). ²⁰ "Therefore, because of this accusation (or: this reason), I called you folks to my side: [for you] to see [the situation] and to address [it] (or: to see [you folks] and to speak to [you]), for you see, I continue with this chain lying around me (or: continue lying encompassed by this chain) on account of the hope and expectation of Israel." ²¹ So they said to him, "We ourselves neither received letters concerning you from Judea, nor has anyone of the brothers (= fellow Jews) coming along reported back or spoken anything harmful (disadvantageous; malicious; bad) about you. ²² "But we continue considering it valuable (worthwhile; deserving) to hear from you, at your side (or: personally), what things you are normally thinking and what things compose your disposition and frame of mind. Indeed, you see, concerning this sect (= denomination; chosen opinion; heresy), it is personally known to us that it is continuously being spoken against and contradicted everywhere." ²³ Then, having themselves arranged a day with him, more folks came to him, into [his] place of lodging, to whom he continued setting forth, explaining from out of [his] midst, while progressively giving thorough evidence and double witness of God's reign (or: the sovereign influence, actions and kingdom of God), besides constantly using persuading and convincing [reasoning with] them concerning Jesus – both from the Law (= Torah) of Moses and from the Prophets – from early morning until evening. ²⁴ And so [some] folks, on the one hand, began being progressively persuaded and convinced by (or: in) the things being continuously spoken and laid out, yet on the other hand, [other] folks continued without faith and trust (or: persisted in unbelief). ²⁵ So, continuing in being out of harmony (dissonant; discordant; without symphony; = at odds and in disagreement) toward one another, they began loosing themselves away (continued dismissing themselves, one after another) with Paul's speaking one gush-effect (or: comment; declaration): "The set-apart Breath-effect (or: Holy Spirit) beautifully (finely; ideally; aptly; fittingly) speaks (or: spoke) through Isaiah the prophet – to your fathers – saying, ²⁶ "'Go your way at once to this People and say, "By listening (or: In hearing), you people will continue hearing (or: listening) and yet by no means would you understand (or: could you make things flow together). And then, while constantly looking and observing, you folks will continue looking and observing, and yet by no means would you see (or: could you perceive). ²⁷ "You see, the heart of this People was made fat and thick (fleshy and stout; clotted and coarse; massive and gross; = thick-witted and stupid) and with [their] ears they hear heavily (= with difficulty and without response), and they squint or close their eyes – lest at some point they would (or: could) see with [their] eyes and should hear with [their] ears, and would understand (make things fit together) with the heart, and then could turn about and return – and so, I will proceed progressively (or: one-after-another) healing them!"' [Isa. 6:9-10] ²⁸ "Therefore, continue letting it be known by you folks that this restoration to health and wholeness – this rescue, deliverance and salvation – was (or: has been) sent off to, for, and among the ethnic people groups (the multitudes of the nations)! And they themselves will keep on listening, then in and for themselves will continue (or: be progressively) hearing!" ²⁹ [vs. 29 not in any early MSS] ³⁰ Now he remained in his own hired house two whole years, and continued welcomingly receiving all the folks periodically or regularly coming their way in to him, ³¹ continuously and progressively making public proclamation and heralding the reign of God (or: God's kingdom and sovereign influence), as well as habitually teaching the things concerning the Lord [p74 reads, instead of "Lord": the salvation and deliverance which comes from] Jesus Christ (or: the Lord, Jesus [the] Anointed One [= the Messiah]) – unforbidden and without hindrance, with all the bold outspoken freedom of speech which is the right of a citizen! [Written circa A.D. 57-63 – Based on the critical analysis of John A.T. Robinson]