| Holman Christian Standard Bible | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Once ashore, we then learned that the island was called Malta. | 1Once safely ashore, we then learned that the island was called Malta. |
| 2The local people showed us extraordinary kindness, for they lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. | 2The local people showed us extraordinary kindness. They lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. |
| 3As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself to his hand. | 3As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. |
| 4When the local people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "This man is probably a murderer, and though he has escaped the sea, Justice does not allow him to live!" | 4When the local people saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "This man, no doubt, is a murderer. Even though he has escaped the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live." |
| 5However, he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. | 5But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm. |
| 6They expected that he would swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. | 6They expected that he would begin to swell up or suddenly drop dead. After they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. |
| 7Now in the area around that place was an estate belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days. | 7Now in the area around that place was an estate belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days. |
| 8Publius's father was in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, and praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him. | 8Publius's father was in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, and praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him. |
| 9After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. | 9After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. |
| 10So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed. | 10So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed. |
| 11After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. | 11After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Gods as its figurehead. |
| 12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days. | 12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days. |
| 13From there, after making a circuit along the coast, we reached Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and the second day we came to Puteoli. | 13From there, after making a circuit along the coast, we reached Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and the second day we came to Puteoli. |
| 14There we found believers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. | 14There we found brothers and sisters and were invited to stay a week with them. And so we came to Rome. |
| 15Now the believers from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. | 15Now the brothers and sisters from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. |
| 16When we entered Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him. | 16When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who guarded 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 ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. | 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 ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. |
| 18After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since I had not committed a capital offense. | 18After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. |
| 19Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; it was not as though I had any accusation against my nation. | 19Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; even though I had no charge to bring against my people. |
| 20For this reason I've asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I'm wearing this chain." | 20For this reason I've asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I'm wearing this chain." |
| 21Then they said to him, "We haven't received any letters about you from Judea. None of the brothers has come and reported or spoken anything evil about you. | 21Then they said to him, "We haven't received any letters about you from Judea. None of the brothers has come and reported or spoken anything evil about you. |
| 22But we would like to hear from you what you think. For concerning this sect, we are aware that it is spoken against everywhere." | 22But we want to hear what your views are, since we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect." |
| 23After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and witnessed about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. | 23After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and testified about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. |
| 24Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe. | 24Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe. |
| 25Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: "The Holy Spirit correctly spoke through the prophet Isaiah to your ancestors | 25Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: "The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah |
| 26when He said, Go to these people and say: You will listen and listen, yet never understand; and you will look and look, yet never perceive. | 26when he said, Go to these people and say: You will always be listening, but never understanding; and you will always be looking, but never perceiving. |
| 27For the hearts of these people have grown callous, their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and be converted, and I would heal them. | 27For the hearts of these people have grown callous, their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them. |
| 28Therefore, let it be known to you that this saving work of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen!" | 28Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen." |
| 29After he said these things, the Jews departed, while engaging in a prolonged debate among themselves. | 29 |
| 30Then he stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, | 30Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, |
| 31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with full boldness and without hindrance. | 31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. |
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