New Living Translation

English Standard Version

1Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta.

1After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.

2The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.

2The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.

3As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand.

3When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.

4The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.”

4When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”

5But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed.

5He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

6The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.

6They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

7Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days.

7Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.

8As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him.

8It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him.

9Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed.

9And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.

10As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip. Paul Arrives at Rome

10They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

11It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island—an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods as its figurehead.

11After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead.

12Our first stop was Syracuse, where we stayed three days.

12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.

13From there we sailed across to Rhegium. A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli.

13And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.

14There we found some believers, who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

14There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.

15The brothers and sisters in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.

15And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.

16When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier. Paul Preaches at Rome under Guard

16And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.

17Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors.

17After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

18The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence.

18When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.

19But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people.

19But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation.

20I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”

20For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.”

21They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here.

21And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.

22But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.”

22But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

23So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening.

23When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.

24Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe.

24And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.

25And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,

25And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

26‘Go and say to this people: When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.

26“‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

27For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’

27For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’

28So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”

28Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

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30For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him,

30He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him,

31boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.

31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.