Part 36

44:028:003 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.

44:028:004 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.

44:028:005 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

44:028:006 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.

44:028:007 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.

44:028:008 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.

44:028:009 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

44:028:010 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

44:028:011 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

44:028:012 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

44:028:013 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:

44:028:014 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

44:028:015 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.

44:028:016 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.

44:028:017 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.

44:028:018 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

44:028:019 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

44:028:020 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.

44:028:021 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.

44:028:022 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

44:028:023 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.

44:028:024 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

44:028:025 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,

44:028:026 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

44:028:027 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.

44:028:028 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

44:028:029 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

44:028:030 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,