Acts 28:17-30

New International Version

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

¹⁷Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.^(A) When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers,^(B) although I have done nothing against our people^(C) or against the customs of our ancestors,^(D) I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. ¹⁸They examined me^(E) and wanted to release me,^(F) because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.^(G) ¹⁹The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar.^(H) I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. ²⁰For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel^(I) that I am bound with this chain.”^(J)

²¹They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people^(K) who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. ²²But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”^(L)

²³They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God,^(M) and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets^(N) he tried to persuade them about Jesus.^(O) ²⁴Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.^(P) ²⁵They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said^(Q) through Isaiah the prophet:

²⁶“‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
²⁷For this people’s heart has become calloused;^(R)
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’^[a]^(S)

²⁸“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation^(T) has been sent to the Gentiles,^(U) and they will listen!” ^[29]^[b]

³⁰For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.

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Footnotes

Acts 28:27 Isaiah 6:9,10 (see Septuagint)
Acts 28:29 Some manuscripts include here After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves.

Psalm 41

New International Version

Psalm 41^[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹Blessed^(A) are those who have regard for the weak;^(B)
    the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.^(C)
²The Lord protects^(D) and preserves them—^(E)
    they are counted among the blessed in the land—^(F)
    he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.^(G)
³The Lord sustains them on their sickbed^(H)
    and restores them from their bed of illness.^(I)

⁴I said, “Have mercy^(J) on me, Lord;
    heal^(K) me, for I have sinned^(L) against you.”
⁵My enemies say of me in malice,
    “When will he die and his name perish?^(M)”
⁶When one of them comes to see me,
    he speaks falsely,^(N) while his heart gathers slander;^(O)
    then he goes out and spreads^(P) it around.

⁷All my enemies whisper together^(Q) against me;
    they imagine the worst for me, saying,
⁸“A vile disease has afflicted him;
    he will never get up^(R) from the place where he lies.”
⁹Even my close friend,^(S)
    someone I trusted,
one who shared my bread,
    has turned^[b] against me.^(T)

¹⁰But may you have mercy^(U) on me, Lord;
    raise me up,^(V) that I may repay^(W) them.
¹¹I know that you are pleased with me,^(X)
    for my enemy does not triumph over me.^(Y)
¹²Because of my integrity^(Z) you uphold me^(AA)
    and set me in your presence forever.^(AB)