| English Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. | 1Once ashore, we then learned that the island was called Malta. |
| 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. | 2The local people showed us extraordinary kindness, for they lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. |
| 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. | 3As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself to his hand. |
| 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.” | 4When the local people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "This man is probably a murderer, and though he has escaped the sea, Justice does not allow him to live!" |
| 5He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. | 5However, he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. |
| 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. | 6They expected that he would swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said 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 hospitably for three days. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 9And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. | 9After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. |
| 10They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed. | 10So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed. |
| 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. | 11After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. |
| 12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. | 12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed 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. | 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. |
| 14There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. | 14There we found believers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. |
| 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. | 15Now the believers 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. |
| 16And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. | 16When we entered Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 18When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. | 18After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since I had not committed a capital offense. |
| 19But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. | 19Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; it was not as though I had any accusation against my nation. |
| 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.” | 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." |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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.” | 22But we would like to hear from you what you think. For concerning this sect, we are aware that it is spoken against everywhere." |
| 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. | 23After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and witnessed about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. |
| 24And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. | 24Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe. |
| 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: | 25Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: "The Holy Spirit correctly spoke through the prophet Isaiah to your ancestors |
| 26“‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” | 26when He said, Go to these people and say: You will listen and listen, yet never understand; and you will look and look, yet never perceive. |
| 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.’ | 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 be converted, and I would heal them. |
| 28Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” | 28Therefore, let it be known to you that this saving work of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen!" |
| 29 | 29After he said these things, the Jews departed, while engaging in a prolonged debate among themselves. |
| 30He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, | 30Then he stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, |
| 31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. | 31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with full boldness and without hindrance. |
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