1 | And when they
were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. |
2 | And the barbarous people shewed us
no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because
of the present rain, and because of the cold. |
3 | And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid
them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his
hand. |
4 | And when the
barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves,
No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet
vengeance suffereth not to live. |
5
| And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. |
6 | Howbeit they looked when he
should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a
great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said
that he was a god. |
7 | In
the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name
was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. |
8 | And it came to pass, that the
father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul
entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. |
9 | So when this was done, others also,
which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: |
10 | Who also honoured us with many
honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were
necessary. |
11 | And after
three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the
isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. |
12 | And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three
days. |
13 | And from thence
we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind
blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: |
14 | Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with
them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. |
15 | And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they
came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul
saw, he thanked God, and took courage. |
16 | And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the
prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by
himself with a soldier that kept him. |
17 | And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called
the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto
them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or
customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the
hands of the Romans. |
18 |
Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no
cause of death in me. |
19 |
But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar;
not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. |
20 | For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see
you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with
this chain. |
21 | And they
said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. |
22 | But we desire to hear of
thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where
it is spoken against. |
23 |
And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging;
to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them
concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from
morning till evening. |
24 |
And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. |
25 | And when they agreed not among
themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the
Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, |
26 | Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye
shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not
perceive:
Isa 6:9
Matt 13:14
John 12:40
|
27 | For the
heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and
their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear
with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and
I should heal them.
Isa 6:10
Matt 13:15
Mark 4:12
|
28 |
Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the
Gentiles, and that they will hear it. |
29 | And when he had said these words, the Jews departed,
and had great reasoning among themselves. |
30 | And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house,
and received all that came in unto him, |
31 | Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things
which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding
him. |