Chapter 28

¹And when we had escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita. But the barbarians shewed us no small courtesy. ²For kindling a fire, they refreshed us all, because of the present rain, and of the cold. ³And when Paul had gathered together a bundle of sticks, and had laid them on the fire, a viper coming out of the heat, fastened on his hand. ⁴And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging on his hand, they said one to another: Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, who though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance doth not suffer him to live. ⁵And he indeed shaking off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm. ⁶But they supposed that he would begin to swell up, and that he would suddenly fall down and die. But expecting long, and seeing that there came no harm to him, changing their minds, they said, that he was a god. ⁷Now in these places were possessions of the chief man of the island, named Publius, who receiving us, for three days entertained us courteously. ⁸And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever, and of a bloody flux. To whom Paul entered in; and when he had prayed, and laid his hands on him, he healed him. ⁹Which being done, all that had diseases in the island, came and were healed: ¹⁰Who also honoured us with many honours, and when we were to set sail, they laded us with such things as were necessary. ¹¹And after three months, we sailed in a ship of Alexandria, that had wintered in the island, whose sign was the Castors. ¹²And when we were come to Syracusa, we tarried there three days. ¹³From thence, compassing by the shore, we came to Rhegium: and after one day, the south wind blowing, we came the second day to Puteoli; ¹⁴Where, finding brethren, we were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went to Rome. ¹⁵And from thence, when the brethren had heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and the Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to God, and took courage. ¹⁶And when we were come to Rome, Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kept him. ¹⁷And after the third day, he called together the chief of the Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them: Men, brethren, I, having done nothing against the people, or the custom of our fathers, was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans; ¹⁸Who, when they had examined me, would have released me, for that there was no cause of death in me; ¹⁹But the Jews contradicting it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had any thing to accuse my nation of. ²⁰For this cause therefore I desired to see you, and to speak to you. Because that for the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain. ²¹But they said to him: We neither received letters concerning thee from Judea, neither did any of the brethren that came hither, relate or speak any evil of thee. ²²But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, we know that it is every where contradicted. ²³And when they had appointed him a day, there came very many to him unto his lodgings; to whom he expounded, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, out of the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning until evening. ²⁴And some believed the things that were said; but some believed not. ²⁵And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, Paul speaking this one word: Well did the Holy Ghost speak to our fathers by Isaias the prophet, ²⁶Saying: Go to this people, and say to them: With the ear you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive. ²⁷For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears have they heard heavily, and their eyes they have shut; lest perhaps they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. ²⁸Be it known therefore to you, that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it. ²⁹And when he had said these things, the Jews went out from him, having much reasoning among themselves. ³⁰And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging; and he received all that came in to him, ³¹Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, without prohibition.