| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Once safely ashore, we then learned that the island was called Malta. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2The local people showed us extraordinary kindness. They lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4When the local people saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "This man, no doubt, is a murderer. Even though he has escaped the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live." |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6They expected that he would begin to swell up or suddenly drop dead. After they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Gods as its figurehead. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14There we found brothers and sisters and were invited to stay a week with them. And so we came to Rome. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15Now the brothers and sisters 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. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who guarded him. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; even though I had no charge to bring against my people. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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." |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22But we want to hear what your views are, since we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect." |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and testified about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe. |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: "The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26when he said, Go to these people and say: You will always be listening, but never understanding; and you will always be looking, but never perceiving. |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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 turn, and I would heal them. |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen." |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29 |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, |
| 31[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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