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 .
Paul's Ministry in Rome
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 , Go unto this people , and say , Hearing ye shall hear , and shall not understand ; and seeing ye shall see , and not perceive : 27For 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 . 28Be it known therefore unto you , that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles , and that they will hear it . 29And when he had said these words , the Jews departed , and had great reasoning among themselves . 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 .