Acts 22-28

Christian Standard Bible

22 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” ² When they heard that he was addressing them in Aramaic,^[a] they became even quieter.^{(A) 3} He^(B) continued, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel^(C) according to the strictness of our ancestral law. I was zealous for God, just as all of you are today.^{(D) 4} I persecuted this Way^(E) to the death, arresting and putting both men and women in jail,^{(F) 5} as both the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. After I received letters from them to the brothers, I traveled to Damascus to arrest those who were there and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.^(G)

Paul’s Testimony

⁶ “As^(H) I was traveling and approaching Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. ⁷ I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’

⁸ “I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, the one you are persecuting.’ ⁹ Now those who were with me saw the light,^[b] but they did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.^(I)

¹⁰ “I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’

“The Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything that you have been assigned to do.’

¹¹ “Since I couldn’t see because of the brightness of the light,^[c] I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and went into Damascus.^{(J) 12} Someone named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, who had a good reputation with all the Jews living there,^{(K) 13} came and stood by me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And in that very hour I looked up and saw him. ¹⁴ And he said, ‘The God of our ancestors has appointed^(L) you to know his will, to see^(M) the Righteous One,^(N) and to hear the words from his mouth, ¹⁵ since you will be a witness for him to all people of what you have seen and heard.^{(O) 16} And now, why are you delaying? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins,^(P) calling on his name.’^(Q)

¹⁷ “After I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance^{(R) 18} and saw him telling me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’

¹⁹ “But I said, ‘Lord, they know that in synagogue after synagogue I had those who believed in you imprisoned and beaten.^{(S) 20} And when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I stood there giving approval^[d] and guarding the clothes of those who killed him.’^(T)

²¹ “He said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”^(U)

Paul’s Roman Protection

²² They listened to him up to this point. Then they raised their voices, shouting, “Wipe this man off the face of the earth! He should not be allowed to live!” ^(V)

²³ As they were yelling and flinging aside their garments and throwing dust into the air,^{(W) 24} the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, directing that he be interrogated with the scourge to discover the reason they were shouting against him like this. ²⁵ As they stretched him out for the lash, Paul said to the centurion standing by, “Is it legal for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and is uncondemned?” ^(X)

²⁶ When the centurion heard this, he went and reported to the commander, saying, “What are you going to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.”

²⁷ The commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”

“Yes,” he said.

²⁸ The commander replied, “I bought this citizenship for a large amount of money.”

“But I was born a citizen,” Paul said.

²⁹ So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately. The commander too was alarmed when he realized Paul was a Roman citizen and he had bound him.^(Y)

Paul before the Sanhedrin

³⁰ The next day, since he wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he released him^[e] and instructed the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin to convene.^(Z) He brought Paul down and placed him before them.

23 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience^(AA) to this day.” ² The high priest Ananias ordered those who were standing next to him to strike him on the mouth.^{(AB) 3} Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! You are sitting there judging me according to the law, and yet in violation of the law are you ordering me to be struck?” ^(AC)

⁴ Those standing nearby said, “Do you dare revile God’s high priest?”

⁵ “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest,” replied Paul. “For it is written, You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people.”^{[f](AD) 6} When Paul realized that one part of them were Sadducees and the other part were Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees.^(AE) I am being judged because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead!” ^{(AF) 7} When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸ For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection,^(AG) and neither angel nor spirit, but the Pharisees affirm them all.

⁹ The shouting grew loud, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’^(AH) party got up and argued vehemently, “We find nothing evil in this man.^(AI) What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” ^[g](AJ)

¹⁰ When the dispute became violent, the commander feared that Paul might be torn apart by them and ordered the troops to go down, take him away from them, and bring him into the barracks.^{(AK) 11} The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage! For as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so it is necessary for you to testify in Rome.”^(AL)

The Plot against Paul

¹² When it was morning, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.^{(AM) 13} There were more than forty who had formed this plot. ¹⁴ These men went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a solemn curse that we won’t eat anything until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ So now you, along with the Sanhedrin, make a request to the commander that he bring him down to you^[h] as if you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly. But, before he gets near, we are ready to kill him.”^(AN)

¹⁶ But the son of Paul’s sister, hearing about their ambush, came and entered the barracks and reported it to Paul. ¹⁷ Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander, because he has something to report to him.”

¹⁸ So he took him, brought him to the commander, and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, because he has something to tell you.”

¹⁹ The commander took him by the hand, led him aside, and inquired privately, “What is it you have to report to me?”

²⁰ “The Jews,” he said, “have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they are going to hold a somewhat more careful inquiry about him. ²¹ Don’t let them persuade you, because there are more than forty of them lying in ambush—men who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, waiting for your consent.”^(AO)

²² So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Don’t tell anyone that you have informed me about this.”

To Caesarea by Night

²³ He summoned two of his centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready with seventy cavalry and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight.^{[i](AP) 24} Also provide mounts to ride so that Paul may be brought safely to Felix the governor.”

²⁵ He wrote the following letter:^[j]

²⁶ Claudius Lysias,

To the most excellent governor Felix:

Greetings.^(AQ)

²⁷ When this man had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, I arrived with my troops and rescued him because I learned that he is a Roman citizen.^{(AR) 28} Wanting to know the charge they were accusing him of, I brought him down before their Sanhedrin. ²⁹ I found out that the accusations were concerning questions of their law,^(AS) and that there was no charge that merited death or imprisonment.^{(AT) 30} When I was informed that there was a plot against the man,^[k](AU) I sent him to you right away. I also ordered his accusers^(AV) to state their case against him in your presence.^[l]

³¹ So the soldiers took Paul during the night and brought him to Antipatris as they were ordered. ³² The next day, they returned to the barracks, allowing the cavalry to go on with him. ³³ When these men entered Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.^{(AW) 34} After he^[m] read it, he asked what province he was from. When he learned he was from Cilicia,^{(AX) 35} he said, “I will give you a hearing whenever your accusers also get here.” He ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.^[n](AY)

The Accusation against Paul

24 Five days later Ananias^(AZ) the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor.^{(BA) 2} When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said, “We enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation because of your foresight. ³ We acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent^(BB) Felix, with utmost gratitude. ⁴ But, so that I will not burden you any further, I request that you would be kind enough to give us a brief hearing. ⁵ For we have found this man to be a plague,^(BC) an agitator^(BD) among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.^{(BE) 6} He even tried to desecrate the temple, and so we apprehended him.^{[o] 8} By examining him yourself you will be able to discern the truth about these charges we are bringing against him.” ⁹ The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were true.

Paul’s Defense before Felix

¹⁰ When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me.^{(BF) 11} You can verify for yourself that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.^{(BG) 12} They didn’t find me arguing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city.^{(BH) 13} Neither can they prove the charges they are now making against me. ¹⁴ But I admit this to you: I worship the God of my ancestors according to the Way,^(BI) which they call a sect, believing everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets.^{(BJ) 15} I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection,^[p](BK) both of the righteous and the unrighteous.^{(BL) 16} I always strive to have a clear conscience^(BM) toward God and men. ¹⁷ After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my people.^{(BN) 18} While I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar.^{(BO) 19} It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. ²⁰ Or let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, ²¹ other than this one statement I shouted while standing among them, ‘Today I am on trial before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.’”

The Verdict Postponed

²² Since Felix was well informed about the Way,^(BP) he adjourned the hearing, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” ²³ He ordered that the centurion keep Paul under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from meeting^[q] his needs.^(BQ)

²⁴ Several days later, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come,^(BR) Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I’ll call for you.” ²⁶ At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would offer him money.^[r] So he sent for him quite often and conversed with him.

²⁷ After two years had passed, Porcius Festus^(BS) succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor,^(BT) he left Paul in prison.^(BU)

Appeal to Caesar

25 Three days after Festus arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.^{(BV) 2} The chief priests and the leaders of the Jews presented their case against Paul to him; and they appealed,^{(BW) 3} asking for a favor against Paul, that Festus summon him to Jerusalem. They were, in fact, preparing an ambush along the road to kill him. ⁴ Festus, however, answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to go there shortly.^{(BX) 5} “Therefore,” he said, “let those of you who have authority go down with me and accuse him, if he has done anything wrong.”

⁶ When he had spent not more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea. The next day, seated at the tribunal, he commanded Paul to be brought in.^{(BY) 7} When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him and brought many serious charges that they were not able to prove.^{(BZ) 8} Then Paul made his defense: “Neither against the Jewish law,^(CA) nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I sinned in any way.”

⁹ But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor,^(CB) replied to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be tried before me there on these charges?”

¹⁰ Paul replied, “I am standing at Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as even you yourself know very well. ¹¹ If then I did anything wrong and am deserving of death, I am not trying to escape death; but if there is nothing to what these men accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!” ^(CC)

¹² Then after Festus conferred with his council, he replied, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go.”

King Agrippa and Bernice Visit Festus

¹³ Several days later, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea and paid a courtesy call on Festus. ¹⁴ Since they were staying there several days, Festus presented Paul’s case to the king, saying, “There’s a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix. ¹⁵ When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews presented their case and asked that he be condemned.^{(CD) 16} I answered them that it is not the Roman custom to give someone up^[s] before the accused faces the accusers and has an opportunity for a defense against the charges.^{(CE) 17} So when they had assembled here, I did not delay. The next day I took my seat at the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in. ¹⁸ The accusers stood up but brought no charge against him of the evils I was expecting. ¹⁹ Instead they had some disagreements^(CF) with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, a dead man Paul claimed to be alive. ²⁰ Since I was at a loss in a dispute over such things, I asked him if he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding these matters. ²¹ But when Paul appealed to be held for trial by the Emperor,^[t] I ordered him to be kept in custody until I could send him to Caesar.”

²² Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.”

“Tomorrow you will hear him,” he replied.^(CG)

Paul before Agrippa

²³ So the next day, Agrippa and Bernice^(CH) came with great pomp and entered the auditorium with the military commanders and prominent men of the city. When Festus gave the command, Paul was brought in. ²⁴ Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all men present with us, you see this man. The whole Jewish community has appealed to me concerning him, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he should not live any longer.^{(CI) 25} I found that he had not done anything deserving of death, but when he himself appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.^{(CJ) 26} I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore, I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this examination is over, I may have something to write. ²⁷ For it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner without indicating the charges against him.”

Paul’s Defense before Agrippa

26 Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”

Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: ² “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, ³ especially since you are very knowledgeable about all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

⁴ “All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem.^{(CK) 5} They have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee.^{(CL) 6} And now I stand on trial because of the hope^(CM) in what God promised^(CN) to our ancestors, ⁷ the promise our twelve tribes hope to reach as they earnestly serve him night and day. King Agrippa, I am being accused by the Jews because of this hope.^{(CO) 8} Why do any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? ⁹ In fact, I myself was convinced that it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.^{(CP) 10} I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I was in agreement against them.^{(CQ) 11} In all the synagogues I often punished them and tried to make them blaspheme.^(CR) Since I was terribly enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities.

Paul’s Account of His Conversion and Commission

¹² “I was traveling to Damascus under^(CS) these circumstances with authority and a commission from the chief priests. ¹³ King Agrippa, while on the road at midday, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me. ¹⁴ We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in Aramaic,^[u] ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’^(CT)

¹⁵ “I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. ¹⁶ But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.^{(CU) 17} I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them^{(CV) 18} to open their eyes^(CW) so that they may turn^[v] from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’^(CX)

¹⁹ “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. ²⁰ Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.^{(CY) 21} For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and were trying to kill me. ²² To this very day, I have had help from God, and I stand and testify to both small and great, saying nothing other than what the prophets and Moses said would take place^(CZ)— ²³ that the Messiah would suffer, and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”^(DA)

Agrippa Not Quite Persuaded

²⁴ As he was saying these things in his defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You’re out of your mind,^(DB) Paul! Too much study is driving you mad.”

²⁵ But Paul replied, “I’m not out of my mind, most excellent Festus. On the contrary, I’m speaking words of truth and good judgment.^{(DC) 26} For the king knows about these matters, and I can speak boldly to him. For I am convinced that none of these things has escaped his notice, since this was not done in a corner. ²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe.”

²⁸ Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily?” ^[w]

²⁹ “I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty,^[x] not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains.”^(DD)

³⁰ The king, the governor, Bernice, and those sitting with them got up, ³¹ and when they had left they talked with each other and said, “This man is not doing anything to deserve death or imprisonment.”^(DE)

³² Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”^(DF)

Sailing for Rome

27 When it was decided that we were to sail to Italy, they handed over Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Imperial Regiment.^{[y](DG) 2} When we had boarded a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, intending to sail to ports along the coast of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us.^{(DH) 3} The next day we put in at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends to receive their care.^{(DI) 4} When we had put out to sea from there, we sailed along the northern coast^[z] of Cyprus because the winds were against us. ⁵ After sailing through the open sea off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we reached Myra in Lycia.^{(DJ) 6} There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. ⁷ Sailing slowly for many days, with difficulty we arrived off Cnidus. Since the wind did not allow us to approach it, we sailed along the south side of Crete off Salmone. ⁸ With still more difficulty we sailed along the coast and came to a place called Fair Havens near the city of Lasea.

Paul’s Advice Ignored

⁹ By now much time had passed, and the voyage was already dangerous. Since the Day of Atonement^[aa](DK) was already over, Paul gave his advice ¹⁰ and told them, “Men, I can see that this voyage is headed toward disaster and heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship but also of our lives.” ¹¹ But the centurion paid attention to the captain and the owner of the ship rather than to what Paul said.^{(DL) 12} Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to set sail from there, hoping somehow to reach Phoenix, a harbor on Crete^(DM) facing the southwest and northwest, and to winter there.

Storm-Tossed Ship

¹³ When a gentle south wind sprang up, they thought they had achieved their purpose. They weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. ¹⁴ But before long, a fierce wind called the “northeaster” rushed down from the island. ¹⁵ Since the ship was caught and unable to head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. ¹⁶ After running under the shelter of a little island called Cauda,^[ab] we were barely able to get control of the skiff. ¹⁷ After hoisting it up, they used ropes and tackle and girded the ship. Fearing they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the drift-anchor, and in this way they were driven along. ¹⁸ Because we were being severely battered by the storm, they began to jettison the cargo the next day.^{(DN) 19} On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. ²⁰ For many days neither sun nor stars appeared, and the severe storm kept raging. Finally all hope was fading that we would be saved.

²¹ Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, “You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss. ²² Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship. ²³ For last night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me^{(DO) 24} and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. It is necessary for you to appear before Caesar. And indeed, God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’ ²⁵ So take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me.^{(DP) 26} But we have to run aground on some island.”^(DQ)

²⁷ When the fourteenth night came, we were drifting in the Adriatic Sea, and about midnight the sailors thought they were approaching land. ²⁸ They took soundings and found it to be a hundred twenty feet^[ac] deep; when they had sailed a little farther and sounded again, they found it to be ninety feet^[ad] deep. ²⁹ Then, fearing we might run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight to come. ³⁰ Some sailors tried to escape from the ship; they had let down the skiff into the sea, pretending that they were going to put out anchors from the bow. ³¹ Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” ³² Then the soldiers cut the ropes holding the skiff and let it drop away.

³³ When it was about daylight, Paul urged them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been waiting and going without food, having eaten nothing. ³⁴ So I urge you to take some food. For this is for your survival, since none of you will lose a hair from your head.”^{(DR) 35} After he said these things and had taken some bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all of them, and after he broke it, he began to eat.^{(DS) 36} They all were encouraged and took food themselves. ³⁷ In all there were 276 of us on the ship.^{(DT) 38} When they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing the grain overboard into the sea.

Shipwreck

³⁹ When daylight came, they did not recognize the land but sighted a bay with a beach. They planned to run the ship ashore if they could.^{(DU) 40} After cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and headed for the beach. ⁴¹ But they struck a sandbar and ran the ship aground. The bow jammed fast and remained immovable, while the stern began to break up by the pounding of the waves. ⁴² The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners so that no one could swim away and escape. ⁴³ But the centurion kept them from carrying out their plan because he wanted to save Paul, and so he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. ⁴⁴ The rest were to follow, some on planks and some on debris from the ship. In this way, everyone safely reached the shore.^(DV)

Malta’s Hospitality

28 Once safely ashore, we^(DW) then learned that the island was called Malta.^{(DX) 2} The local people^(DY) showed us extraordinary kindness. They lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. ³ As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. ⁴ When the local people saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man, no doubt, is a murderer. Even though he has escaped the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”^{(DZ) 5} But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm.^{(EA) 6} They expected that he would begin to swell up or suddenly drop dead. After they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.^(EB)

Ministry in Malta

⁷ Now in the area around that place was an estate belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days. ⁸ Publius’s father was in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, and praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him.^{(EC) 9} After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. ¹⁰ So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed.

Rome at Last

¹¹ After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Gods^[ae] as its figurehead. ¹² Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days. ¹³ From there, after making a circuit along the coast,^[af] we reached Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and the second day we came to Puteoli. ¹⁴ There we found brothers and sisters^(ED) and were invited to stay a week with them. And so we came to Rome. ¹⁵ Now the brothers and sisters from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. ¹⁶ When we entered Rome,^[ag] Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who guarded him.^(EE)

Paul’s First Interview with Roman Jews

¹⁷ After three days he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.^{(EF) 18} After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.^{(EG) 19} Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar;^(EH) even though I had no charge to bring against my people. ²⁰ For this reason I’ve asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I’m wearing this chain.”^(EI)

²¹ Then they said to him, “We haven’t received any letters about you from Judea. None of the brothers has come and reported or spoken anything evil about you. ²² But we want to hear what your views are, since we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”^(EJ)

The Response to Paul’s Message

²³ After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and testified about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.^{(EK) 24} Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe.^(EL)

²⁵ Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement:^[ah] “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your^[ai] ancestors through the prophet Isaiah ²⁶ when he said,

²⁸ Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”^[ak]

Paul’s Ministry Unhindered

³⁰ Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, ³¹ proclaiming the kingdom of God^(EN) and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness^(EO) and without hindrance.