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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 who kept him.
17
And it came to pass that after three days Paul called the chief Jews together; and when they had 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,
18
who, when they had examined me, would have let me go because there was no cause deserving of death in me.
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But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar, not that I had anything to accuse my nation of.
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For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you and to speak with you, because it is for the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."
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And they said unto him, "We neither received letters from Judea concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren who came show or speak any harm of thee.
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But we desire to hear from thee what thou thinkest; for concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against.
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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 until evening.
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And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
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And when they were unable to agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word: "Well spoke the Holy Ghost through Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers,
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saying, `Go unto this people and say, "Hearing, ye shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing, ye shall see and not perceive.
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For the heart of this people has 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."'
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"Be it known therefore unto you that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it."
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And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had great reasoning among themselves.
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And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house and received all who came in unto him,
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preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no man forbidding him.