| New King James Version | NET Bible |
| 1Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. | 1After we had safely reached shore, we 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 local inhabitants showed us extraordinary kindness, for they built a fire and welcomed us all because it had started 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 brushwood and was putting it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself 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 local people saw the creature hanging from Paul's hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer! Although he has escaped from the sea, Justice herself has not allowed him to live!" |
| 5But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. | 5However, Paul shook the creature off 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. | 6But they were expecting that he was going to swell up or suddenly drop dead. So after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said 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 region around that place were fields belonging to the chief official of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably as guests 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. | 8The father of Publius lay sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and after praying, placed his hands on him and healed him. |
| 9So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. | 9After this had happened, many of the people on the island who were sick also came and were healed. |
| 10They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary. | 10They also bestowed many honors, and when we were preparing to sail, they gave us all the supplies 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 put out to sea in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island and had the "Heavenly Twins" as its figurehead. |
| 12And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. | 12We put in at Syracuse and stayed there 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, | 13From there we cast off 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 some brothers and were invited to stay with them seven days. And in this way 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. | 15The brothers from there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. When he saw 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. | 16When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding 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 Paul called the local Jewish leaders together. When they had assembled, he said to them, "Brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, from Jerusalem I was handed over as a prisoner to 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 heard my case, they wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me. |
| 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 when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar--not that I had some charge to bring against my own people. |
| 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.” | 20So for this reason I have asked to see you and speak with you, for I am bound with this chain because of the hope of Israel." |
| 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. | 21They replied, "We have received no letters from Judea about you, nor have any of the brothers come from there and reported or said anything bad 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 would like to hear from you what you think, for regarding this sect we know that people everywhere speak against it." |
| 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. | 23They set a day to meet with him, and they came to him where he was staying in even greater numbers. From morning until evening he explained things to them, testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets. |
| 24And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. | 24Some were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe. |
| 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, | 25So they began to leave, unable to agree among themselves, after Paul made one last statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah |
| 26saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; | 26when he said, 'Go to this people and say, "You will keep on hearing, but will never understand, and you will keep on looking, but will 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 the heart of this people has become dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, so that they would not 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!” | 28"Therefore be advised that this salvation from 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, | 30Paul lived there two whole years in his own rented quarters 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 complete boldness and without restriction. |
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