New American Standard Bible 1995

Holman Christian Standard Bible

1When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta.

1Once ashore, we then learned that the island was called Malta.

2The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all.

2The local people showed us extraordinary kindness, for they lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold.

3But 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.

3As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself to his hand.

4When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, "Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live."

4When the local people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "This man is probably a murderer, and though he has escaped the sea, Justice does not allow him to live!"

5However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

5However, he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

6But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.

6They expected that he would swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

7Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days.

7Now in the area around that place was an estate belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.

8And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.

8Publius's father was in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, and praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him.

9After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured.

9After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.

10They also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed.

10So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed.

11At the end of three months we set sail on an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had the Twin Brothers for its figurehead.

11After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead.

12After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.

12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days.

13From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.

13From there, after making a circuit along the coast, we reached Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and the second day we came to Puteoli.

14There we found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome.

14There we found believers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.

15And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

15Now the believers from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

16When we entered Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

17After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, "Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

17After three days he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them: "Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

18"And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death.

18After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since I had not committed a capital offense.

19"But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation.

19Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; it was not as though I had any accusation against my nation.

20"For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel."

20For this reason I've asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I'm wearing this chain."

21They said to him, "We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you.

21Then they said to him, "We haven't received any letters about you from Judea. None of the brothers has come and reported or spoken anything evil about you.

22"But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere."

22But we would like to hear from you what you think. For concerning this sect, we are aware that it is spoken against everywhere."

23When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.

23After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and witnessed about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

24Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.

24Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe.

25And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,

25Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: "The Holy Spirit correctly spoke through the prophet Isaiah to your ancestors

26saying, 'GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, "YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;

26when He said, Go to these people and say: You will listen and listen, yet never understand; and you will look and look, yet never perceive.

27FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM."'

27For the hearts of these people have grown callous, their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and be converted, and I would heal them.

28"Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen."

28Therefore, let it be known to you that this saving work of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen!"

29When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.

29After he said these things, the Jews departed, while engaging in a prolonged debate among themselves.

30And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him,

30Then he stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him,

31preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with full boldness and without hindrance.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.