1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was
called Melita.
2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for
they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the
present rain, and because of the cold.
3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them
on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened
on his hand.
4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his
hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a
murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance
suffereth not to live.
5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen
down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while,
and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and
said that he was a god.
7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the
island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us
three days courteously.
8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a
fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and
prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the
island, came, and were healed:
10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed,
they laded us with such things as were necessary.
11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria,
which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and
Pollux.
12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and
after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to
Puteoli:
14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them
seven days: and so we went toward Rome.
15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to
meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom
when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the
prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered
to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the
chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together,
he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed
nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was
I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the
Romans.
18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because
there was no cause of death in me.
19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to
appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation
of.
20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you,
and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I
am bound with this chain.
21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of
Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came
shewed or spake any harm of thee.
22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as
concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against.
23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him
into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the
kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of
the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till
evening.
24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some
believed not.
25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed,
after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost
by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear,
and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not
perceive:
27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears
are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest
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.
28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is
sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had
great reasoning among themselves.
30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and
received all that came in unto him,
31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which
concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man
forbidding him.
Book 45 Romans
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