Acts 28:17-31 - Paul And The Jewish Community In Rome

¹⁷ And it happened after three days that Paul called together those who were the leading Jews, and when they assembled he said to them, "Brothers, although I had done nothing against the [Jewish] people or the customs of our forefathers, yet I was made a prisoner at Jerusalem, being placed in the custody of the Romans [while there]. ¹⁸ After questioning me, they wanted to release me because they could not find any grounds for sentencing me to death. ¹⁹ But when the Jews objected to this, I was compelled to appeal [my case] to Caesar, even though I had done nothing against my country. ²⁰ It was for this reason that I requested to see you and talk with you, for I am wearing this chain because of the hope held by the Israelites."

²¹ Then they said to him, "We did not receive any letters from Judea about you, nor did any of the brothers come here to report anything bad about you. ²² But we would like to hear what you think, for according to our knowledge, this sect [you belong to] is being spoken against everywhere."

²³ And when they had arranged a day, large numbers of people came to Paul's house. He explained [everything to them], testifying from morning until evening concerning the kingdom of God and concerning [the Messiahship of] Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from [the writings of] the prophets. ²⁴ And some people believed what Paul said and some refused to believe.

²⁵ And when they could not agree among themselves they left, after hearing Paul make this one [important] statement: "The Holy Spirit has spoken truthfully to your forefathers through Isaiah the prophet, ²⁶ saying, [Isa. 6:9-10], 'Go to these people and say, you will hear all right, but you will not understand [what you hear]. You will see all right, but you will not perceive [what you see]. ²⁷ For these people's minds are dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes. For, if this were not the case, they would perceive what they see with their eyes, and understand what they hear with their ears, and comprehend with their minds, and would turn [back to God] again and I [God] would heal them [from their sins].'

²⁸ Then let it be known to you that salvation from God is [now] being announced to the Gentiles. They will listen [to it]." {{Some ancient manuscripts insert verse ²⁹ And when he had said these words, the Jews left, disputing about the matter among themselves.}}

³⁰ Then Paul lived for two whole years in his own rented house and welcomed everyone who visited him. ³¹ He preached to them about the kingdom of God and taught things about the Lord Jesus Christ, with no one preventing him.