1 And when they were saved, they learned that the island was called Melita. 2 And the barbarians showed us no ordinary humanity; for kindling a fire they received us all, on account of the rain which was falling, and the cold. 3 And Paul having collected a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper coming out from the heat fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, This man is undoubtedly a murderer, whom though saved from the sea justice has not permitted to live. 5 Then shaking off the creature into the fire he suffered no harm; 6 but they expected that he would swell up, or suddenly fall down dead. And waiting a long time, and seeing nothing extraordinary happen to him, they thought differently, and said, He is a god.
7 Near that place were the lands of the first man in the island, whose name was Poplius, who received and entertained us kindly three days. 8 And the father of Poplius lay sick with a fever and dysentery, and Paul came to him, and prayed, and put his hands on him, and cured him. 9 And this being done, the rest also who had sicknesses in the island came and were cured, 10 and they bestowed on us many rewards, and when we left supplied us with things that we needed.
11 And after three months we sailed away in an Alexandrian vessel, that had wintered in the island, with the sign of Castor and Pollux. 12 And coming to Syracuse we remained there three days; 13 and proceeding thence we came to Rhegium, and after one day, a south wind blowing, we came the second day to Puteoli, 14 where finding brothers we were invited to remain with them seven days; and thus we came to Rome. 15 And thence, the brothers hearing of us came out to meet us even to the Forum of Appius, and the Three Taverns [fifty-one miles]; and when Paul saw them, thanking God he took courage. 16 AND when we came to Rome the centurion committed the prisoners to the prefect of the camp, and Paul was allowed to remain by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
17 And after three days he called the chief men of the Jews together; and when they had convened, said to them, Men and brothers, having done nothing contrary to the people or to the customs of the fathers, I was delivered up from Jerusalem a prisoner into the hands of the Romans, 18 who on trial wished to release me, because they found no cause of death in me; 19 but the Jews opposing it I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; not that I have any thing of which to accuse my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have called you to see and converse with you, because I am loaded with this chain on account of the hope of Israel.
21 And they said to him, We have neither received letters concerning you from Judea, nor has any one of the brothers come and reported or told any evil of you. 22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, for it is known to us concerning this sect, that it is everywhere spoken against.
23 And appointing him a day they came in great numbers to his lodging, to whom he set forth and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and others believed not;
25 and disagreeing among themselves they were dismissed by Paul, saying one word; Well did the Holy Spirit speak by Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying, Go to this people and say, Hearing you shall hear and not understand, and seeing you shall see and not perceive; 27 for the heart of this people has become hard, and they hear imperfectly with their ears, and they have shut their eyes, lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I should cure them.
28 Be it known to you, therefore, that the salvation of God is sent to the gentiles, and they will hear it. 29 (Added verse not retained in Sawyer)
30 But Paul continued two entire years in his hired house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the doctrines concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.