Paul Ministers on Malta
AND when they had escaped, then they knew that the island was called Malta.
2 And the native people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one; because of the commencement of the 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 native people saw the venomous beast hanging from his hand, they said among themselves: “No doubt this man is a murderer; whom, though he has escaped the sea: yet Justice permitted him not to live.”
5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and suffered no harm.
6 Howbeit, they looked when he should have had a fever, 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 fields of the chief of the island, whose name was Publius; who welcomed us, and kindly showed us hospitality three days.
8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery: 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 marks of respect; and when we departed, they provided us with such things as were needed.
Paul Arrives in Rome
11 ¶ Now after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the island; whose emblem was Castor and Pollux.
12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.
13 And from there, we went around, and came to Rhegium; and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
14 Where we found brothers, and were besought to stay with them seven days. And in this way, we went toward Rome.
15 ¶ And from there, when the brothers heard of us: they came to meet us as far as the forum of Appius, and the three inns: 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 allowed to dwell by himself with a soldier that guarded him.
Paul’s Ministry in Rome
17 ¶ And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the leaders of the Jews together: and when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brothers; though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers: I was delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
18 Who, when they had questioned me: would have let me go, because there was no cause for death in me.
19 But when the Jews spoke against it: I was constrained to appeal to Caesar; not that I had any accusation against my nation.
20 Therefore, for this reason I have besought you; to see and to speak with you: because, for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
21 ¶ And they said to him: “We neither received letters out of Judea concerning you; nor have any of the brothers that came: told or spoken any evil of you.
22 But we desire to hear from you, what you think: for indeed, concerning this faction, we know that everywhere it is spoken against.
23 And when they had suggested to him a day; there came many to him in his lodging; to whom he explained, and bore witness to the kingdom of God; and persuading them concerning Jesus: both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning until evening.
24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
25 ¶ Now when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after Paul had spoken one word, that: “Well spoke the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
26 Saying: ‘Go to this people, and say: Hearing, you shall hear, and not understand; and seeing, you shall see, and not perceive:
27 For the heart of this people has grown fat; and their ears are heavy 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 return: and I should heal them.’
28 Therefore, be it known to you: that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.”
29 And when he had said this: the Jews departed, and had great dispute among themselves.
30 ¶ And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all that came into him:
31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ, with all boldness, no man forbidding him.