| 28:1 | After we had safely reached shore,* we learned that the island was called Malta.* |
| 28:2 | The local inhabitants* showed us extraordinary* kindness, for they built a fire and welcomed us all because it had started to rain* and was cold. |
| 28:3 | When Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood* and was putting it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. |
| 28:4 | When the local people* saw the creature hanging from Paul’s* hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer! Although he has escaped from the sea, Justice herself* has not allowed him to live!”* |
| 28:5 | However,* Paul* shook* the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. |
| 28:6 | But they were expecting that he was going to swell up* or suddenly drop dead. So after they had waited* a long time and had seen* nothing unusual happen* to him, they changed their minds* and said he was a god.* |
| 28:7 | Now in the region around that place* were fields belonging to the chief official* of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably as guests for three days. |
| 28:8 | The father* of Publius lay sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him* and after praying, placed* his hands on him and healed* him. |
| 28:9 | After this had happened, many of the people on the island who were sick* also came and were healed.* |
| 28:10 | They also bestowed many honors,* and when we were preparing to sail,* they gave* us all the supplies we needed.* |
| 28:11 | After three months we put out to sea* in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island and had the “Heavenly Twins”* as its figurehead.* |
| 28:12 | We put in* at Syracuse* and stayed there three days. |
| 28:13 | From there we cast off* and arrived at Rhegium,* and after one day a south wind sprang up* and on the second day we came to Puteoli.* |
| 28:14 | There* we found* some brothers* and were invited to stay with them seven days. And in this way we came to Rome.* |
| 28:15 | The brothers from there,* when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius* and Three Taverns* to meet us. When he saw them,* Paul thanked God and took courage. |
| 28:16 | When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live* by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. |
| 28:17 | After three days* Paul* called the local Jewish leaders* together. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers,* although I had done* nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors,* from Jerusalem* I was handed over as a prisoner to the Romans.* |
| 28:18 | When* they had heard my case,* they wanted to release me,* because there was no basis for a death sentence* against me. |
| 28:19 | But when the Jews objected,* I was forced to appeal to Caesar* – not that I had some charge to bring* against my own people.* |
| 28:20 | So for this reason I have asked to see you and speak with you, for I am bound with this chain because of the hope of Israel.”* |
| 28:21 | They replied,* “We have received no letters from Judea about you, nor have any of the brothers come from there* and reported or said anything bad about you. |
| 28:22 | But we would like to hear from you what you think, for regarding this sect we know* that people* everywhere speak against* it.” |
| 28:23 | They set* a day to meet with him,* and they came to him where he was staying* in even greater numbers.* From morning until evening he explained things* to them,* testifying* about the kingdom of God* and trying to convince* them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets. |
| 28:24 | Some were convinced* by what he said,* but others refused* to believe. |
| 28:25 | So they began to leave,* unable to agree among themselves, after Paul made one last statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly to your ancestors* through the prophet Isaiah |
| 28:26 | when he said, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing,* but will never understand, and you will keep on looking,* but will never perceive. |
| 28:27 | For the heart of this people has become dull,* and their ears are hard of hearing,* and they have closed their eyes, so that they would not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn,* and I would heal them.”’* |
| 28:28 | “Therefore be advised* that this salvation from God* has been sent to the Gentiles;* they* will listen!”* |
| 28:29 | [[EMPTY]] |
| 28:30 | Paul* lived* there two whole years in his own rented quarters* and welcomed* all who came to him, |
| 28:31 | proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ* with complete boldness* and without restriction.* |
Acts 28 - NET Bible [draft]
