Acts 28

On Melita, Paul was bitten by a viper but suffered no harm, and he healed the father of Publius and many others on the island. Paul arrived at Rome and dwelt two whole years in his own hired house under guard, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.	Once we were safe, we learned 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.	The native people showed us unusual kindness. They lit a fire and welcomed all of us, because it was raining and 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.	Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and laid it on the fire. A viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself 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 him not to live.	When the natives saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "This man must be a murderer. Even though he escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live."
5	And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.	But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered 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.	The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said 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.	Near that place was the estate of the leading man of the island, whose name was Publius. He welcomed us and showed us generous hospitality for three days.
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.	His father was sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him. He prayed and laid his hands on the man and healed him.
9	So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:	When this happened, the rest of the sick people on 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.	They honored us in many ways. When we were about to sail, they supplied us with everything we needed.
11	And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.	After three months we sailed in a ship of Alexandria that had wintered at the island, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
12	And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.	We put in at Syracuse and stayed 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:	From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day a south wind came up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.
14	Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.	There we found brothers who invited us to stay with them for seven days. Then we went on 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.	The brothers there had heard about us and came to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, 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.	When we arrived in Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard. Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier to guard 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.	Three days later Paul called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had gathered, he said to them, "Brothers, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem.
18	Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.	After examining me, they wanted to release me, because there was no charge against me that deserved death.
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.	But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar — not that I had any accusation to bring against my own nation.
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.	For this reason I have asked to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing 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.	They replied, "We have not received any letters from Judaea about you, nor have any of the brothers who have come here reported or said anything bad about you.
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.	But we want to hear what you think, for we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect."
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.	They set a day to meet with Him, and a large number came to where He was staying. From morning until evening He explained and testified about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.
24	And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.	Some were convinced by what He said, but others refused to believe.
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,	They disagreed among themselves and began to leave. Paul said one final word: "The Holy Ghost spoke the truth to your fathers through the prophet Isaiah
26	Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:	when he said, 'Go to this people and say, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving."
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.	For the heart of this people has grown dull. Their ears can barely hear, and they have shut their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn — and I would 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.	Therefore let it be known to you that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles. They will listen!"
29	And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.	When he had said these words, the Jews left, debating vigorously among themselves.
30	And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,	Paul lived for two full years in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to visit him.
31	Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.	He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without any hindrance.