And when
they were escaped, then they knew that the island
was called Melita.
02 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.
03 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.
04 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.
05 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and
felt no harm.
06 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.
07 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.
08 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.
09 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.
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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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