And it came to pass, after three days, he called together those who were first of the Jews; and they having assembled, he said to them, I, men, brethren, having done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, was committed a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans; who judging me, were counseling to release me, because there was nothing worthy of death in me: and the Jews speaking against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not having anything for which to accuse my nation. read more.
Then for this cause I have called you, to see you, and talk to you: for on account of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. And they said to him, Neither have we received letters from Judea concerning you, neither has any one of the brethren coming, proclaimed or spoken anything evil concerning you. But we desire to hear from you what you think: for indeed concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is everywhere spoken against. And having appointed a day with him, many came to him into his hired house, to whom witnessing he expounded the kingdom of God, indeed persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses, and the prophets, from morning unto evening. And some of them indeed believed the things spoken, but others continued to doubt; and they being disharmonious to one another, dispersed, Paul saying one word, that truly the Holy Ghost spoke through the prophet Isaiah to your fathers, saying, Go to this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and may not understand; and seeing you shall see, and may not perceive: for the heart of this people is waxed gross, and they heard with their ears heavily, and closed their eyes; lest they may see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I shall heal them. Therefore let it be known unto you, that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear. OMITTED TEXT