International Standard Version

English Standard Version

1When we were safely on shore, we learned that the island was called Malta.

1After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.

2The people who lived there were unusually kind to us. It had started to rain and was cold, so they started a bonfire and invited us to join them around it.

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.

3Paul gathered a bundle of sticks and put it on the fire. A poisonous snake was forced out by the heat and attached itself to Paul's hand.

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.

4When the people who lived there saw the snake hanging from his hand, they told one another, "This man must be a murderer! He may have escaped from the sea, but Justice won't let him live."

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.”

5But he shook the snake into the fire and wasn't harmed.

5He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

6They were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

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.

7The governor of the island, whose name was Publius, owned estates in that part of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us with great hospitality for three days.

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.

8The father of Publius happened to be sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, and healed him by placing his hands on him.

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.

9After that had happened, the rest of the sick people on the island went to him and were healed.

9And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.

10The islanders honored us in many ways, and when we were about to sail again, they supplied us with everything we needed.

10They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

11Three months later, we continued our sailing onboard an Alexandrian ship that had spent the winter at the island. It had the Twin Brothers as its figurehead.

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.

12We stopped at Syracuse and stayed there for three days.

12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.

13Then we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. A day later, a south wind began to blow, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.

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.

14There we found some brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. After this, we arrived in Rome.

14There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.

15The brothers there heard about us and came as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and felt encouraged.

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.

16When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who was guarding him.

16And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.

17Three days later, Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. When they assembled, he told them, "Brothers, although I haven't done anything against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.

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.

18They examined me and wanted to let me go because there was no reason for me to receive the death penalty in my case.

18When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.

19But the Jews objected and forced me to appeal to the emperor, even though I have no countercharge to bring against my own people.

19But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation.

20That's why I asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the hope of Israel that I'm wearing this chain."

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.”

21The Jewish leaders told him, "We haven't received any letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or mentioned anything bad about you.

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.

22However, we'd like to hear from you what you believe, because people are talking against this sect everywhere."

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.”

23So they set a day to meet with Paul and came out in large numbers to see him where he was staying. From morning until evening, he continued to explain the kingdom of God to them, trying to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

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.

24Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others wouldn't believe.

24And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.

25They disagreed with one another as they were leaving, so Paul added this statement: "The Holy Spirit was so right when he spoke to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah!

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:

26He said, 'Go to this people and say, "You will listen and listen but never understand, and you will look and look but never see!

26“‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

27For this people's minds have become stupid, and their ears can barely hear, and they have shut their eyes so that they may never see with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn and let me heal them."'

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.’

28You must understand that this message about God's salvation has been sent to the gentiles, and they will listen."

28Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

29

29

30For two whole years Paul lived in his own rented place and welcomed everyone who came to him.

30He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him,

31He continued to preach about the kingdom of God and to teach boldly and freely about the Lord Jesus, the Messiah.

31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.