Acts 28:11-31

11After three months we set sail on 1an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had 2the Twin Brothers for its figurehead. 12After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind came up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 143There we found some 4brothers and sisters, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and that is how we came to Rome. 15And from there the 5brothers and sisters, when they heard about us, came as far as the 6Market of Appius and the 7Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16When we entered Rome, Paul was 8allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

17After three days 9Paul called together those who were 10the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “11Brothers, 12though I had done nothing against our people or 13the customs of our 14fathers, yet I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. 18And when they had 15examined me, they 16were willing to release me because there were 17no grounds 18for putting me to death. 19But when the Jews 19objected, I was forced to 20appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20For this reason, therefore, I 21requested to see you and to speak with you, since I am wearing 22this chain for 23the sake of the hope of Israel.” 21They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of 24the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22But we desire to hear from you what 25your views are; for regarding this 26sect, it is known to us that 27it is spoken against everywhere.”

23When they had set a day for 28Paul, people came to him at 29his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly 30testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, 31from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 2432Some were being persuaded by the things said by Paul, but others would not believe. 25And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul said one parting statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26saying, ‘33Go to this people and say, “3435You will keep on hearing, and will not understand; And 36you will keep on seeing, and will not perceive;2737For the hearts of this people have become 38insensitive, And with their ears they 39hardly hear, And they have closed their eyes; Otherwise they might see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.”’ 28Therefore, let it be known to you that 40this salvation of God has been sent 41to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”42

30Now Paul stayed two full years 43in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him, 314445preaching the kingdom of God and teaching things about the Lord Jesus Christ 46with all openness, unhindered.