The Book of Acts
Acts Chapter 28
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 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.
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