Acts 28

He Shook the Snake into the Fire and Suffered No Harm

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Malta

28:1After reaching safety, we learned that the island was called Melite.

28:2The non-Greek-speaking people showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire and welcomed us all because of the rain that had begun and because of the cold.

28:3Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire. A viper came out because of the heat and fastened onto his hand.

28:4When the non-Greek-speaking people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man is certainly a murderer. Although he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”

28:5But he shook the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

28:6They expected him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. After waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

Near That Place Were Lands Belonging to Publius

28:7Near that place were lands belonging to the island’s chief man, named Publius. He welcomed us and hospitably gave us lodging for three days.

28:8Publius’s father lay sick with fevers and dysentery. Paul went in to him, prayed, laid his hands upon him, and healed him.

28:9After this happened, the other sick people on the island also came and were healed.

28:10They honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they supplied what we needed.

Arrival at Rome

28:11After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Dioscuri as its emblem.

28:12We put in at Syracuse and stayed three days.

28:13From there we cast off and reached Rhegium. After one day a south wind arose, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.

28:14There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we came to Rome.

28:15From there the brothers, having heard about us, came to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

28:16When we entered Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself with the soldier guarding him.

Paul and the Jewish Leaders in Rome

28:17After three days he called together the leading Jews. When they gathered, he said to them, “Men, brothers, although I had done nothing against the people or the ancestral customs, I was handed over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into Roman hands.

28:18After examining me, they wished to release me, because there was no cause for death in my case.

28:19But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, though I had no accusation to bring against my nation.

28:20For this reason I asked to see you and speak with you, for it is because of Israel’s hope that I wear this chain.”

28:21They said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, nor has any of the brothers who arrived reported or spoken anything evil about you.

28:22But we consider it right to hear from you what you think, for concerning this sect we know that it is opposed everywhere.”

Paul Testifies to the Kingdom of God

28:23They appointed a day with him and came to his lodging in greater numbers. From morning until evening he explained to them, bearing solemn witness to the kingdom of God and seeking to persuade them concerning Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets.

28:24Some were persuaded by what was said, while others did not believe.

28:25Disagreeing with one another, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,

28:26saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “You will hear and hear, yet never understand; you will look and look, yet never see.

28:27For this people’s heart has grown dull, their ears have become hard of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn back, and I would heal them.”’

28:28Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

Two Years in Rome

28:30He remained two whole years in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him,

28:31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, unhindered.

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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V2 · working draft awaiting specialist review.