Acts 28:17-20; Acts 28:21-22; Acts 28:25-28

Acts 28:17-20

17 Three days later, Paul called the Jewish leaders together. When they gathered, he said, "Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I'm a prisoner from Jerusalem. They handed me over to the Romans,

18 who intended to release me after they examined me, because they couldn't find any reason for putting me to death.

19 When the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar. Don't think I appealed to Caesar because I had any reason to bring charges against my nation.

20 This is why I asked to see you and speak with you: it's because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."

Acts 28:21-22

21 They responded, "We haven't received any letters about you from Judea, nor have any of our brothers come and reported or said anything bad about you.

22 But we think it's important to hear what you think, for we know that people everywhere are speaking against this faction."

Acts 28:25-28

25 They disagreed with each other and were starting to leave when Paul made one more statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke correctly when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,

26 Go to this people and say: You will hear, to be sure, but never understand; and you will certainly see but never recognize what you are seeing.

27 This people's senses have become calloused, and they've become hard of hearing, and they've shut their eyes so that they won't see with their eyes or hear with their ears or understand with their minds, and change their hearts and lives that I may heal them.

28 "Therefore, be certain of this: God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles. They will listen!"