Acts 28:3-31

3But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out 1because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4When 2the 3natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “4Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, 5justice has not allowed him to live.” 5However, 67Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6Now they were expecting that he was going to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and 8began to say that he was a god.

7Now in the neighboring parts of that place were lands belonging to the 9leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us warmly for three days. 8And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with a recurring fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after he 10prayed, he 11laid his hands on him and healed him. 9After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being cured. 10They also showed us many honors, and when we were about to set sail, they 12supplied us with 13everything we needed.

11After three months we set sail on 14an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had 15the 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. 1416There we found some 17brothers and sisters, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and that is how we came to Rome. 15And from there the 18brothers and sisters, when they heard about us, came as far as the 19Market of Appius and the 20Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16When we entered Rome, Paul was 21allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

17After three days 22Paul called together those who were 23the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “24Brothers, 25though I had done nothing against our people or 26the customs of our 27fathers, yet I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. 18And when they had 28examined me, they 29were willing to release me because there were 30no grounds 31for putting me to death. 19But when the Jews 32objected, I was forced to 33appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20For this reason, therefore, I 34requested to see you and to speak with you, since I am wearing 35this chain for 36the sake of the hope of Israel.” 21They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of 37the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22But we desire to hear from you what 38your views are; for regarding this 39sect, it is known to us that 40it is spoken against everywhere.”

23When they had set a day for 41Paul, people came to him at 42his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly 43testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, 44from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 2445Some 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, ‘46Go to this people and say, “4748You will keep on hearing, and will not understand; And 49you will keep on seeing, and will not perceive;2750For the hearts of this people have become 51insensitive, And with their ears they 52hardly 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 53this salvation of God has been sent 54to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”55

30Now Paul stayed two full years 56in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him, 315758preaching the kingdom of God and teaching things about the Lord Jesus Christ 59with all openness, unhindered.