1THE
ACTS
OF THE APOSTLES
WRITTEN BY
2LUKE
Acts 28 ©
1 Paul and they who sailed with him come safe to the island Melita, where they are courteously entertained. 3 An adder coming out of the fire, remains hanging on Paul’s hand, which he shakes off without being hurt. 6 Whereat the islanders, being amazed, hold him for a god. 8 Paul heals the father of Publius of the fever and bloody flux. 9 And many islanders of their diseases. 10 Having been well entertained three months, they sail towards Italy, over Syracuse to Rhegium, from there to Puteoli and so traveling forward over Appiiforum and The three taverns, they come to Rome. 16 Where Paul, being delivered over to the general of the army, is guarded by a soldier. 17 He calls unto him the most important persons of the Jews there, and relates unto them wherefore he was so sent prisoner to Rome. 21 Who had not received any tidings of it, and desired to understand his opinion concerning religion. 23 Which Paul declares in a great assembly of Jews from morning until evening, proving out of Moses and the Prophets that Jesus was Christ. 24 Which some believed and others did not. 25 Whom Paul seriously reproves out of God’s Word, and foretells them that they would be rejected and the Gentiles be called in their place. 30 Paul remains there two years, preaching the Gospel boldly and without hindrance.
AND when they were escaped, then they knew that thea island was called 1Melita.
And 2the barbarousb people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a 3fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
And when Paul had gathered a bundle of 4sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came 5a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
And when the barbarians saw the venomous 6beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet 7vengeance suffereth not to live.
And he shook off the beast into the fire, andc felt no harm.
Howbeit they looked when he should have 8swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw 9no harm come to him, they changed their minds, andd said that he was 10a god.
In the same quarters were possessions of 11the chief man of the island, whose name was 12Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fevere and of a bloody flux:f to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things 13as were necessary.
And 14after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose 15sign was 16Castor and Pollux.
And landing at 17Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
And from thence we 18fetched a compass, and came to 19Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to 20Puteoli:
Where we found 21brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward 22Rome.
And 23from thence, when 24the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as 25Appii forum,g and 26The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and 27took courage.
And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the 28captain of the guard: buth Paul was suffered to dwell 29by himself 30with a soldier that kept him.
And it came to pass, that 31after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews 32together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though Ii have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had 33ought to accuse my nation of.
For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: becausej that for 34the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came 35shewed or spake any harm of thee.
But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning 36this sect, we know that 37every where it is spoken against.
And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his 38lodging; to whom he expounded and 39testified 40the kingdom of God, persuading them 41concerning Jesus, bothk out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
Andl some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
And when they agreed not among themselves, they 42departed, after that Paul had spoken 43one word, Well spake 44the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
Saying, Gom unto this people, and say, 45Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
For the heart of this people is waxed 46gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Be it known therefore unto you, that 47the salvation of God is sent unto the 48Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great 49reasoning among themselves.
And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
Preaching the kingdom of God, and 50teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, 51with all confidence, no man 52forbidding him.