Acts 28:17-29

17After three days 1Paul called together those who were 2the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “3Brothers, 4though I had done nothing against our people or 5the customs of our 6fathers, yet I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. 18And when they had 7examined me, they 8were willing to release me because there were 9no grounds 10for putting me to death. 19But when the Jews 11objected, I was forced to 12appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20For this reason, therefore, I 13requested to see you and to speak with you, since I am wearing 14this chain for 15the sake of the hope of Israel.” 21They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of 16the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22But we desire to hear from you what 17your views are; for regarding this 18sect, it is known to us that 19it is spoken against everywhere.”

23When they had set a day for 20Paul, people came to him at 21his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly 22testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, 23from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 2424Some 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, ‘25Go to this people and say, “2627You will keep on hearing, and will not understand; And 28you will keep on seeing, and will not perceive;2729For the hearts of this people have become 30insensitive, And with their ears they 31hardly 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 32this salvation of God has been sent 33to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”34