[[Acts 27|<< Acts 27]] | [[Acts|Acts]] | [[Romans 1|Romans 1 >>]] ### Acts 28 1 AND when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. ^1 2 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. ^2 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. ^3 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 has escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffers not to live. ^4 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. ^5 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. ^6 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. ^7 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. ^8 9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: ^9 10 Who also honored us with many honors; and when we departed, they laded _us_ with such things as were necessary. ^10 11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. ^11 12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried _there_ three days. ^12 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: ^13 14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. ^14 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. ^15 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. ^16 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. ^17 18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let _me_ go, because there was no cause of death in me. ^18 19 But when the Jews spoke against _it_, I was constrained to appeal unto Cæsar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. ^19 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. ^20 21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judæa concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spoke any harm of thee. ^21 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. ^22 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. ^23 24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. ^24 25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, ^25 26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: ^26 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. ^27 28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and _that_ they will hear it. ^28 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. ^29 30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, ^30 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. ^31