God's New Bible

The Acts of the Apostles

Geneva Bible :: World English Bible Catholic

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- Chapter 28 -

1
And when they were come safe, then they knewe that the Yle was called Melita.
2
And the Barbarians shewed vs no litle kindnesse: for they kindled a fire, and receiued vs euery one, because of the present showre, and because of the colde.
3
And when Paul had gathered a nomber of stickes, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heate, and leapt on his hand.
4
Nowe when ye Barbarians saw the worme hang on his hand, they said among themselues, This man surely is a murtherer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet Vengeance hath not suffered to liue.
5
But he shooke off the worme into the fire, and felt no harme.
6
Howbeit they wayted whe he should haue swolne, or fallen downe dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and sawe no inconuenience come to him, they changed their mindes, and said, That he was a God.
7
In the same quarters, the chiefe man of the Yle (whose name was Publius) had possessions: the same receiued vs, and lodged vs three dayes courteously.
8
And so it was, that the father of Publius lay sicke of the feauer, and of a bloodie flixe: to whom Paul entred in, and when he prayed, he laide his hands on him, and healed him.
9
When this then was done, other also in the Yle, which had diseases, came to him, and were healed,
10
Which also did vs great honour: and when we departed, they laded vs with things necessarie.

Paul Arrives in Italy

11
Nowe after three moneths we departed in a shippe of Alexandria, which had wintred in the Yle, whose badge was Castor and Pollux.
12
And when we arriued at Syracuse, we taried there three dayes.
13
And from thence we set a compasse, and came to Rhegium: and after one day, the South wind blewe, and we came the seconde day to Putioli:
14
Where we found brethren, and were desired to tary with them seuen dayes, and so we went toward Rome.
15
And from thence, when the brethren heard of vs, they came to meete vs at the Market of Appius, and at the Three tauernes, whom when Paul sawe, he thanked God, and waxed bolde.

Paul Preaches at Rome

(Isaiah 6:1–13)
16
So when we came to Rome, the Centurion deliuered the prisoners to the generall Captaine: but Paul was suffered to dwell by him selfe with a souldier that kept him.
17
And the third day after, Paul called the chiefe of the Iewes together: and when they were come, he said vnto them, Men and brethren, though I haue committed nothing against the people, or Lawes of the fathers, yet was I deliuered prisoner from Hierusalem into the handes of the Romanes.
18
Who when they had examined me, would haue let me goe, because there was no cause of death in me.
19
But when the Iewes spake contrary, I was constrained to appeale vnto Cesar, not because I had ought to accuse my nation of.
20
For this cause therefore haue I called for you, to see you, and to speake with you: for that hope of Israels sake, I am bound with this chaine.
21
Then they saide vnto him, We neither receiued letters out of Iudea concerning thee, neither came any of the brethren that shewed or spake any euill of thee.
22
But we will heare of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we knowe that euery where it is spoken against.
23
And when they had appointed him a day, there came many vnto him into his lodging, to whom he expounded testifying the kingdome of God, and persuading them those things that concerne Iesus, both out of the Lawe of Moses, and out of the Prophets, from morning to night.
24
And some were persuaded with ye things which were spoken, and some beleeued not.
25
Therefore when they agreed not among themselues, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, to wit, Well spake the holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet vnto our fathers,
26
Saying, Goe vnto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall heare, and shall not vnderstand, and seeing ye shall see, and not perceiue.
27
For the heart of this people is waxed fatte, and their eares are dull of hearing, and with their eyes haue they winked, least they shoulde see with their eyes, and heare with their eares, and vnderstand with their heartes, and should returne that I might heale them.
28
Be it knowen therefore vnto you, that this saluation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they shall heare it.
29
And when he had saide these things, the Iewes departed, and had great reasoning among themselues.
30
And Paul remained two yeeres full in an house hired for himselfe, and receiued all that came in vnto him,
31
Preaching the kingdome of God, and teaching those things which concerne the Lord Iesus Christ, with all boldnesse of speache, without let.
1
When we had escaped, then they (a) learned that the island was called Malta.
2
The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present rain and because of the cold.
3
But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4
When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.”
5
However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed.
6
But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7
Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and courteously entertained us for three days.
8
The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.
9
Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came and were cured.
10
They also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.

Paul Arrives in Italy

11
After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose figurehead wasThe Twin Brothers.”
12
Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.
13
From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli,
14
where we found brothers,(b) and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.
15
From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

Paul Preaches at Rome

(Isaiah 6:1–13)
16
When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
17
After three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18
who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.
19
But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.
20
For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
21
They said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you.
22
But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23
When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.
24
Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25
When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one message: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
26
saying,Go to this people and say, in hearing, you will hear, but will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see, but will in no way perceive.
27
For this people’s heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, then I would heal them.’(c)
28
Be it known therefore to you that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will listen.”
29
When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.(d)
30
Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who were coming to him,
31
preaching Gods Kingdom and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

Footnotes

(a)28:1 NU reads “we”
(b)28:14 The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
(c)28:27 ℘ Isaiah 6:9-10
(d)28:29 NU omits verse 29.