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 G1161 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 :
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 .
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 .
