Acts 28:17-31 - Paul And The Jewish Community In Rome
17 Three days later, he called the leading Jews together, and when they met he said to them, "Brothers, although I have done nothing against the People or our ancestral customs, I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. 18 They meant to release me after examination, as I was innocent of any crime that deserved death. 19 But the Jews objected, and so I was obliged to appeal to Caesar ??not that I had any charge to bring against my own nation. 20 This is my reason for asking to see you and have a word with you. I am wearing this chain because I share Israel's hope."
21 They replied, "We have had no letters about you from Judaea, and no brother has come here with any bad report or story about you. 22 We think it only right to let you tell your own story; but as regards this sect, we are well aware that there are objections to it on all hands."
23 So they fixed a day and came to him at his quarters in large numbers. From morning to evening he explained the Reign of God to them from personal testimony, and tried to convince them about Jesus from the law of Moses and the prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but the others would not believe.
25 As they could not agree among themselves, they were turning to go away, when Paul added this one word: "It was an apt word that the holy Spirit spoke by the prophet Isaiah to your fathers, 26 when he said, Go and tell this people, 'You will hear and hear but never understand, you will see and see but never perceive.' 27 For the heart at this people is obtuse, their ears are heavy at hearing, their eyes they have closed, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they understand with their heart and turn again, and I cure them.
28 Be sure of this, then, that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen to it." 29 --
30 For two full years he remained in his private lodging, welcoming anyone who came to visit him; 31 he preached the Reign of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unmolested.