1Once ashore, we Ac 16:10; 27:1 then learned that the island was called Malta. Ac 27:26,39

2The local people Rm 1:14; 1Co 14:11; Col 3:11 showed us extraordinary kindness, for they lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold.

3As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself to his hand.

4When the local people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man is probably a murderer, and though he has escaped the sea, Justice Gk Dike, a goddess of justice does not allow him to live! ” Lk 13:2,4; Jn 9:2

5However, he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. Mk 16:18; Lk 10:19

6They expected that he would swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. Ac 8:10; 14:11

7Now 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.

8Publius’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. Ac 9:40; Jms 5:14-15

9After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.

10So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed.

11After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Brothers Gk Dioscuri, twin sons of Zeus as its figurehead.

12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days.

13From there, after making a circuit along the coast, Other mss read From there, casting off, we reached Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and the second day we came to Puteoli.

14There we found believers Lit brothers Jn 21:23; Ac 1:16 and were invited to stay with them for seven days.

15Now the believers Lit brothers 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.

16When we entered Rome, Other mss add the centurion turned the prisoners over to the military commander; but Paul was permitted to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him. Ac 24:23; 27:3

17After 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. Ac 6:14; 25:8

18After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since I had not committed a capital offense. Ac 22:24; 23:29; 26:31

19Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; Ac 25:11; 26:32 it was not as though I had any accusation against my nation.

20For 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.” Ac 21:33; 26:6-7,29; Eph 6:20; 2Tm 1:16

21Then 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.

22But we would like to hear from you what you think. For concerning this sect, we are aware that it is spoken against everywhere.” Lk 2:34; Ac 24:5; 1Pt 2:12; 4:14

23After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and witnessed about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Ac 8:35; 17:3; 19:8; 26:22; Phm 22

24Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe. Ac 14:4; 19:9

25Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: “The Holy Spirit correctly spoke through the prophet Isaiah to your Other mss read our ancestors

26when He said,

27For the hearts of these people

30Then he stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him,

31proclaiming the kingdom of God Mt 4:23; Ac 20:25; 28:23 and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with full boldness Ac 4:29,31; 2Tm 2:9 and without hindrance.