14
There we found brothers who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we went on toward Rome.
15
The brothers there had heard about us and came as far as Appian Market and Three Inns to meet us. When Sha'ul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16
And when we arrived at Rome, the officer allowed Sha'ul to stay by himself, though guarded by a soldier.
17
After three days Sha'ul called a meeting of the local Jewish leaders. When they had gathered, he said to them: "Brothers, although I have done nothing against either our people or the traditions of our fathers, I was made a prisoner in Yerushalayim and handed over to the Romans.
18
They examined me and were ready to release me, because I had done nothing to justify a death sentence.
19
But when the Judeans objected, I was forced to appeal to the Emperor - not that I had any charge to make against my own people.
20
This is why I have asked to see you and speak with you, for it is because of the hope of Isra'el that I have this chain around me."
21
They said to him, "We have not received any letters about you from Y'hudah, and none of the brothers who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you.
22
But we do think it would be appropriate to hear your views from you, yourself; for all we know about this sect is that people everywhere speak against it."
23
So they arranged a day with him and came to his quarters in large numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, giving a thorough witness about the Kingdom of God and making use of both the Torah of Moshe and the Prophets to persuade them about Yeshua.
24
Some were convinced by what he said,
25
while others refused to believe. So they left, disagreeing among themselves, after Sha'ul had made one final statement: "The Ruach HaKodesh spoke well in saying to your fathers through Yesha'yahu the prophet,
26
'Go to this people and say, "You will keep on hearing but never understand, and you will keep on seeing but never perceive,
27
because the heart of this people has grown thick with their ears they barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, for fear that they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and do t'shuvah, so that I could heal them."'
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Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Goyim, and they will listen!"
30
Sha'ul remained two whole years in a place he rented for himself; and he continued receiving all who came to see him,
31
openly and without hindrance proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.