New Living Translation

Christian Standard Bible

1Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta.

1Once safely ashore, we then learned that the island was called Malta.

2The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.

2The local people showed us extraordinary kindness. They lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold.

3As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the 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 on his hand.

4The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.”

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."

5But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed.

5But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm.

6The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.

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.

7Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly 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.

8As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he 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.

9Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed.

9After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.

10As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip. Paul Arrives at Rome

10So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed.

11It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island—an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods as its figurehead.

11After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Gods as its figurehead.

12Our first stop was Syracuse, where we stayed three days.

12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days.

13From there we sailed across to Rhegium. A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast 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 some believers, who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

14There we found brothers and sisters and were invited to stay a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

15The brothers and sisters in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.

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.

16When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier. Paul Preaches at Rome under Guard

16When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

17Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors.

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.

18The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence.

18After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.

19But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people.

19Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; even though I had no charge to bring against my people.

20I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”

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."

21They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here.

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 want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.”

22But we want to hear what your views are, since we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect."

23So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening.

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.

24Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe.

24Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe.

25And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,

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‘Go and say to this people: When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.

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.

27For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me 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 turn, and I would heal them.

28So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”

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

29

29

30For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him,

30Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him,

31boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.

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

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.