Acts 28

₁And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. ₂And 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.

₃And 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. ₄And 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. ₅And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. ₆Howbeit 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.

₇In 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. ₈And 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. ₉So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: ₁₀who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

₁₁And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. ₁₂And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. ₁₃And 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: ₁₄where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. ₁₅And 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.

₁₆And 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. ₁₇And 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. ₁₈Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. ₁₉But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cæsar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. ₂₀For 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. ₂₁And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judæa concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. ₂₂But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

₂₃And 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. ₂₄And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. ₂₅And 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, ₂₆saying,

₃₀And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, ₃₁preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.