Acts 28:11-31

11After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered in the island. It had the Twin Brothers1 as a figurehead. 12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 13From there we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day, a south wind came up, and on the second day we arrived at Puteoli. 14There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them. And so we came to Rome.

15The brothers there had heard about us and traveled as far as the Forum of Appius2 and the Three Taverns3 to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and gave thanks to God.

16When we arrived in Rome,4 Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

17After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me. 19But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I have no charge to bring against my nation. 20So for this reason I have called to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

21The leaders replied, “We have not received any letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the brothers from there reported or even mentioned anything bad about you. 22But we consider your views worth hearing, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”

23So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

24Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe. 25They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

28Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”6

30Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him. 31Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.