16
When we enteredRome, Paul was 1allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
17
Afterthreedays Paul calledtogetherthose who were 2the leadingmen of the Jews, and when they cametogether, he began saying to them, "3Brethren*, 4though I had donenothingagainst our peopleor5the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
18
"And when they had 6examined me, they 7were willing to release me because there was 8noground for putting me to death.
19
"But when the Jewsobjected, I was forced to 9appeal to Caesar, not that I hadanyaccusationagainst my nation.
20
"For thisreason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing10thischain for 11the sake of the hope of Israel."
21
They said to him, "We have neitherreceivedletters from Judeaconcerning you, nor have any of 12the brethrencomehere and reportedorspokenanythingbadabout you.
22
"But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerningthis13sect, it is known to us that 14it is spokenagainsteverywhere."
23
When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at 15his lodging in largenumbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly16testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerningJesus, 17from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morninguntilevening.
24
18Some were being persuaded by the thingsspoken, but otherswould not believe.
25
And when they did not agree with oneanother, they began leaving after Paul had spokenone parting word, "The HolySpiritrightlyspokethroughIsaiah the prophet to your fathers,
26
saying, '19GO TO THISPEOPLE AND SAY, "20YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;