Acts 28 (KJV)
[1] And when they were escaped, then they
knew that the island was called Melita.
[2] And the barbarous people shewed us no
little kindness: for they kindled a fire,
and received us every one, because of the
present rain, and because of the cold.
[3] And when Paul had gathered a bundle
of sticks, and laid them on the fire,
there came a viper out of the heat, and
fastened on his hand.
[4] And when the barbarians saw the venomous
beast hang on his hand, they said among
themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer,
whom, though he hath escaped the sea,
yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
[5] And he shook off the beast into
the fire, and felt no harm.
[6] Howbeit they looked when he should have
swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly:
but after they had looked a great while,
and saw no harm come to him, they changed
their minds, and said that he was a god.
[7] In the same quarters were possessions
of the chief man of the island, whose name
was Publius; who received us, and lodged
us three days courteously.
[8] And it came to pass, that the father
of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a
bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and
prayed, and laid his hands on him,
and healed him.
[9] So when this was done, others also,
which had diseases in the island, came,
and were healed:
[10] Who also honoured us with many honours;
and when we departed, they laded us with
such things as were necessary.
[11] And after three months we departed in
a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered
in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
[12] And landing at Syracuse, we tarried
there three days.
[13] And from thence we fetched a compass,
and came to Rhegium: and after one day the
south wind blew, and we came the next day
to Puteoli:
[14] Where we found brethren, and were desired
to tarry with them seven days: and so we
went toward Rome.
[15] And from thence, when the brethren
heard of us, they came to meet us as far
as Appii forum, and The three taverns:
whom when Paul saw, he thanked God,
and took courage.
[16] And when we came to Rome, the centurion
delivered the prisoners to the captain of
the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell
by himself with a soldier that kept him.
[17] And it came to pass, that after three
days Paul called the chief of the Jews together:
and when they were come together, he said
unto them, Men and brethren, though I have
committed nothing against the people, or
customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered
prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands
of the Romans.
[18] Who, when they had examined me, would
have let me go, because there was no
cause of death in me.
[19] But when the Jews spake against it,
I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar;
not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
[20] For this cause therefore have I called
for you, to see you, and to speak with you:
because that for the hope of Israel
I am bound with this chain.
[21] And they said unto him, We neither
received letters out of Judaea concerning
thee, neither any of the brethren that
came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
[22] But we desire to hear of thee what
thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect,
we know that every where it is spoken against.
[23] And when they had appointed him a day,
there came many to him into his lodging;
to whom he expounded and testified the
kingdom of God, persuading them
concerning Jesus, both out of the law
of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening.
[24] And some believed the things
which were spoken, and some believed not.
[25] And when they agreed not among
themselves, they departed, after that
Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the
Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet
unto our fathers,
[26] Saying, Go unto this people, and say,
Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not
understand; and seeing ye shall see,
and not perceive:
[27] For the heart of this people is waxed
gross, 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.
[28] Be it known therefore unto you, that
the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles,
and that they will hear it.
[29] And when he had said these words, the
Jews departed, and had great reasoning
among themselves.
[30] And Paul dwelt two whole years in his
own hired house, and received all that
came in unto him,
[31] Preaching the kingdom of God, and
teaching those things which concern the
Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence,
no man forbidding him.
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May your day be filled with His love and Light!
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