VIN(i)
1 When we were safely on shore, we learned that the island was called Malta.
2 The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire and welcomed all of us because it was raining and cold.
3 Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand.
4 When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
5 But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.
6 They were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
7 Nearby stood an estate belonging to the Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
8 The father of Publius was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after praying and placing his hands on him, he healed the man.
9 After this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured as well.
10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.
11 Now after three months we put to sea in a ship that had wintered on the island, belonging to Alexandria, with the figurehead of the Twin Brothers.
12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days;
13 From there we cast off and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli,
14 There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them. And so we came to Rome.
15 The Brethren there had heard about us, and came out as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At sight of them Paul thanked God and was much cheered.
16 When we reached Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier who guarded him.
17 Three days later, Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. When they assembled, he said to them, "Brothers, although I haven't done anything against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
18 who, when they had examined me, were intending to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.
19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesarnot that I had any charge to bring against my own nation.
20 So for this reason I have called to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
21 They said to him, "We have not received letters from Judea concerning you, and none of the brethren who have come here has reported or spoken anything bad about you.
22 But we consider your views worth hearing, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”
23 So they fixed a day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying, and from morning till night he explained to them the Kingdom of God and gave his testimony, trying to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.
24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.
25 When they disagreed among themselves, they began to leave, after Paul had made one final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your fathers 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 grown callous; 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.’
28 Therefore be it known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
30 For two whole years Paul lived in his own rented place and welcomed everyone who came to him.
31 Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.