| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. | 1Once ashore, we then learned that the island was called Malta. |
| 2And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. | 2The local people showed us extraordinary kindness, for they lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and 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. | 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. |
| 4So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow 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!" |
| 5But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. | 5However, he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. |
| 6However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm 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. |
| 7In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously 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. |
| 8And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and 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. |
| 9So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. | 9After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. |
| 10They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary. | 10So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed. |
| 11After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island. | 11After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. |
| 12And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. | 12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days. |
| 13From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next 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. |
| 14where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. | 14There we found believers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. |
| 15And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he 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. |
| 16Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell 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. |
| 17And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have 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. |
| 18who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. | 18After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since I had not committed a capital offense. |
| 19But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse 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 called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with 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." |
| 21Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of 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 you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.” | 22But we would like to hear from you what you think. For concerning this sect, we are aware that it is spoken against everywhere." |
| 23So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. | 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 persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. | 24Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe. |
| 25So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, | 25Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: "The Holy Spirit correctly spoke through the prophet Isaiah to your ancestors |
| 26saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not 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 the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should 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. |
| 28“Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” | 28Therefore, let it be known to you that this saving work of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen!" |
| 29And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. | 29After he said these things, the Jews departed, while engaging in a prolonged debate among themselves. |
| 30Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, | 30Then he stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, |
| 31preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. | 31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with full boldness and without hindrance. |
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