1And when we had escaped, then we learned that the island was called Melita. 2And the natives showed us unusual kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the falling rain, and because of the 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. 4And when the natives saw the venomous creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live. 5However, he shook off the creature into the fire, and suffered no harm. 6But they expected that he would swell up, or suddenly fall down dead: but when they had waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. 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 courteously three days. 8And it happened, that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery: to whom Paul went in, and prayed, and laying his hands on him healed him. 9And when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came, and were cured: 10who also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we needed. 11And after three months we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was The Twin Brothers. 12And putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 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 brothers, and were invited to stay with them seven days: and so we came to Rome. 15And from there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. 16And when we entered into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him. 17And it happened, that after three days he called together those who were the leaders of the Jews: and when they had come together, he said to them, I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans: 18who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me. 19But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Cæsar; not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. 20For this reason therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 21And they said to him, We neither received letters from Judæa concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any harm of you. 22But we desire to hear from you what you think: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against. 23And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him at his lodging in great numbers; to whom he explained the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Yeshua, both from the Torah of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening. 24And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25And when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26saying, Go to this people, and say, By hearing you shall hear, and shall by no means understand; And seeing you shall see, and shall by no means perceive: 27For this people’s heart has grown dull, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest perhaps they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them. 28Let it be known therefore to you, that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles: they will also hear. 29 30And he stayed two whole years in his own rented dwelling, and received all who came in to him, 31preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Yeshua Messiah with all boldness, no one forbidding him.