New King James Version

English Standard Version

1Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.

1After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.

2And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.

2The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was 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 on his hand.

3When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.

4So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.”

4When 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.”

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

5He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

6However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

6They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

7In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.

7Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.

8And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.

8It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him.

9So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.

9And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.

10They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

10They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

11After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island.

11After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead.

12And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days.

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

13From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli,

13And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.

14where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.

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

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

15And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.

16Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

16And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.

17And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have 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 local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, 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.

18who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.

18When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.

19But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.

19But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation.

20For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

20For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.”

21Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.

21And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.

22But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”

22But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

23So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.

23When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.

24And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

24And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.

25So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,

25And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

26saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive;

26“‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

27For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” ’

27For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’

28“Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!”

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

29And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.

29

30Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him,

30He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him,

31preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.