16
When we arrived at Rome, Paul was allowed to live alone, with the soldier who guarded him.
17
Three days later Paul sent for the Jewish leaders there. When they came together, he said, "Brothers, I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. But I was arrested in Jerusalem and given to the Romans.
18
After they asked me many questions, they could find no reason why I should be killed. They wanted to let me go free,
19
but the Jewish people there argued against that. So I had to ask to come to Rome to have my trial before Caesar. But I have no charge to bring against my own people.
20
That is why I wanted to see you and talk with you. I am bound with this chain because I believe in the hope of Israel."
21
They answered Paul, "We have received no letters from Judea about you. None of our Jewish brothers who have come from there brought news or told us anything bad about you.
22
But we want to hear your ideas, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this religious group."
23
Paul and the Jewish people chose a day for a meeting and on that day many more of the Jews met with Paul at the place he was staying. He spoke to them all day long. Using the law of Moses and the prophets' writings, he explained the kingdom of God, and he tried to persuade them to believe these things about Jesus.
24
Some believed what Paul said, but others did not.
25
So they argued and began leaving after Paul said one more thing to them: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
26
'Go to this people and say: You will listen and listen, but you will not understand. You will look and look, but you will not learn,
27
because these people have become stubborn. They don't hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might really understand what they see with their eyes and hear with their ears. They might really understand in their minds and come back to me and be healed.'
28
"I want you to know that God has also sent his salvation to those who are not Jewish, and they will listen!"
30
Paul stayed two full years in his own rented house and welcomed all people who came to visit him.
31
He boldly preached about the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, and no one tried to stop him.