| 1 And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island was called
Melita. 2 And the barbarians showed us no common kindness; for they
kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because
of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them
on the fire, a viper came out by reason of the heat, and fastened on his
hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous creature hanging
from his hand, they said one to another, No doubt this man is a murderer,
whom, though he hath escaped from the sea, yet Justice hath not suffered to
live. 5 Howbeit he shook off the creature into the fire, and took no harm.
6 But they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead
suddenly: but when they were long in expectation and beheld nothing amiss
came to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. 7 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 three days
courteously. 8 And it was so, that the father of Publius lay sick of fever
and dysentery: unto whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laying his hands on
him healed him. 9 And when this was done, the rest also that had diseases
in the island came, and were cured: 10 who also honored us with many
honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we needed.
11 And after three months we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had
wintered in the island, whose sign was The Twin Brothers. 12 And touching
at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. 13 And from thence 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 where we found brethren, and
were entreated to tarry with them seven days: and so we came to Rome.
15 And from thence the brethren, when they heard of us, came to meet us as
far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he
thanked God, and took courage. 16 And when we entered into Rome, Paul was
suffered to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him. 17 And it
came to pass, that after three days he called together those that were the
chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said unto them, I,
brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our
fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the
Romans: 18 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty,
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 aught
whereof to accuse my nation. 20 For this cause therefore did I entreat you
to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am
bound with this chain. 21 And they said unto him, We neither received
letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither
and report or speak any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear of thee
what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that
everywhere it is spoken against. 23 And when they had appointed him a day,
they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded
the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them
concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from
morning till evening. 24 And some believed the things which were spoken,
and some disbelieved. 25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they
departed after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit
through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers, 26 saying,
Go thou unto this people, and say,
By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand;
And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:
27 For this people's heart is waxed gross,
And their ears are dull of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed;
Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart,
And should turn again,
And I should heal them.
28 Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto
the Gentiles: they will also hear. 29 And when he had said these
words, the Jews departed, having much disputing among themselves.
30 And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received
all that went in unto him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching
the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none
forbidding him.
Genesis - Public
Domain
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