Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta.
The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.
When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.
When 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.”
But Paul shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
They expected him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
In the vicinity of that place there was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and hosted us for three days.
During that time, Paul’s father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery, and Paul went in to see him and prayed.
Then Paul laid his hands on him and healed him.
After this, the rest of the sick on the island also came and were cured.
They honored us in many ways, and when we were about to sail, they supplied us with the things we needed.
We set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy, and put in at Syracuse.
We stayed there for three days.
From there we put out to sea and landed at Rhegium; and after one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.
There we found some brothers and sisters and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.
When we arrived at Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
Three days after arriving, Paul called together the local leaders of the Jews.
When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers and sisters, though I had done nothing wrong against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was handed over to the Romans and was imprisoned.
But since I had done nothing to deserve imprisonment, the authorities wanted to release me.
However, because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my own people.
For this reason I asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
They replied, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, nor have any of the brothers and sisters who have come reported or spoken anything bad about you.
But we want to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
When they had appointed a day for Paul, many came to his lodging to hear him.
He explained and testified about the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.
Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.
They disagreed among themselves and departed after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,
‘Go to this people and say,
You will indeed listen, but never understand;
you will indeed look, but never perceive.
For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
and understand with their hearts and turn—
and I would heal them.’
“Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
When he had said these things, the Jews departed, still disputing among themselves.
Paul remained two whole years in his own rented quarters and welcomed all who came to him,
proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
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