Paul Arrives at Rome
11 After three months we set sail in
1a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead.
12
Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.
13
And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.
14
There we found
2brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.
15
And
3the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them,
4Paul thanked God and took courage.
16
And when we came into Rome,
5Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him.
Paul in Rome
17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, "Brothers,
6though I had done nothing against our people or
7the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
18
When they had examined me, they
8wished to set me at liberty,
9because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.
19
But because the Jews objected, I was compelled
10to appeal to Caesar--though I had no charge to bring against
11my nation.
20
For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is
12because of
13the hope of Israel that I am wearing
14this
15chain."
21
And they said to him, "We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of
16the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.
22
But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this
17sect we know that everywhere
18it is spoken against."
23
When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening
19he expounded to them, testifying to
20the kingdom of God and
21trying to convince them about Jesus
22both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
24
And
23some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.
25
And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement:
24"The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26
25"'Go to this people, and say,
26You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.
27
27For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and
28turn, and I would heal them.'
28
Therefore let it be known to you that
29this
30salvation of God
31has been sent to the Gentiles;
32they will listen."
30
He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and
33welcomed all who came to him,