The Acts: Book of Conversions

28: 1And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita. ^28:2And 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. ^28:3But 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. ^28:4And 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. ^28:5Howbeit he shook off the creature into the fire, and took no harm. ^28:6But 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. ^28:7Now 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. ^28:8And 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. ^28:9And when this was done, the rest also that had diseases in the island came, and were cured: ^28:10who also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we needed. ^28:11And after three months we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was The Twin Brothers. ^28:12And touching at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. ^28:13And 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; ^28:14where we found brethren, and were entreated to tarry with them seven days: and so we came to Rome. ^28:15And 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. ^28:16And when we entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him. ^28:17And 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: ^28:18who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me. ^28:19But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had aught whereof to accuse my nation. ^28:20For 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. ^28:21And 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. ^28:22But 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. ^28:23And 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. ^28:24And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. ^28:25And 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, ^28:26saying,

 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:

 ^28:27For 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.

^28:28Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear. ^28:29And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much disputing among themselves. ^28:30And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him, ^28:31preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.