New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 After we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta.
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And when we were safe, we made the discovery that the island was named Melita.
2 The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us around it.
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And the simple people living there were uncommonly kind to us, for they made a fire for us, and took us in, because it was raining and cold.
3 Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, when a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.
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But when Paul had got some sticks together and put them on the fire, a snake came out, because of the heat, and gave him a bite on the hand.
4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "This man must be a murderer; though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live."
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And when the people saw it hanging on his hand, they said to one another, Without doubt this man has put someone to death, and though he has got safely away from the sea, God will not let him go on living.
5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
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But shaking off the beast into the fire, he got no damage.
6 They were expecting him to swell up or drop dead, but after they had waited a long time and saw that nothing unusual had happened to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.
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But they had the idea that they would see him becoming ill, or suddenly falling down dead; but after waiting a long time, and seeing that no damage came to him, changing their opinion, they said he was a god.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
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Now near that place there was some land, the property of the chief man of the island, who was named Publius; who very kindly took us into his house as his guests for three days.
8 It so happened that the father of Publius lay sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and cured him by praying and putting his hands on him.
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And the father of Publius was ill, with a disease of the stomach; to whom Paul went, and put his hands on him, with prayer, and made him well.
9 After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
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And when this took place, all the others in the island who had diseases came and were made well.
10 They bestowed many honors on us, and when we were about to sail, they put on board all the provisions we needed.
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Then they gave us great honour, and, when we went away, they put into the ship whatever things we were in need of.
11 Three months later we set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian ship with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead.
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And after three months we went to sea in a ship of Alexandria sailing under the sign of the Dioscuri, which had been at the island for the winter.
12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there for three days;
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And going into the harbour at Syracuse, we were waiting there for three days.
13 then we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day there a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.
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And from there, going about in a curve, we came to Rhegium: and after one day a south wind came up and on the day after we came to Puteoli:
14 There we found believers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.
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Where we came across some of the brothers, who kept us with them for seven days; and so we came to Rome.
15 The believers from there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.
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And the brothers, when they had news of us, came out from town as far as Appii Forum and the Three Taverns to have a meeting with us: and Paul, seeing them, gave praise to God and took heart.
16 When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
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And when we came into Rome, they let Paul have a house for himself and the armed man who kept watch over him.
17 Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, "Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
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Then after three days he sent for the chief men of the Jews: and when they had come together, he said to them, My brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the ways of our fathers, I was given, a prisoner from Jerusalem, into the hands of the Romans.
18 When they had examined me, the Romans wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.
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Who, when they had put questions to me, were ready to let me go free, because there was no cause of death in me.
19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor—even though I had no charge to bring against my nation.
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But when the Jews made protest against it, I had to put my cause into Caesar's hands; not because I have anything to say against my nation.
20 For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."
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But for this reason I sent for you, to see and have talk with you: for because of the hope of Israel I am in these chains.
21 They replied, "We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken anything evil about you.
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And they said to him, We have not had letters from Judaea about you, and no one of the brothers has come to us here to give an account or say any evil about you.
22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against."
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But we have a desire to give hearing to your opinion: for as to this form of religion, we have knowledge that in all places it is attacked.
23 After they had set a day to meet with him, they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets.
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And when a day had been fixed, they came to his house in great numbers; and he gave them teaching, giving witness to the kingdom of God, and having discussions with them about Jesus, from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening.
24 Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused to believe.
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And some were in agreement with what he said, but some had doubts.
25 So they disagreed with each other; and as they were leaving, Paul made one further statement: "The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah,
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And they went away, for there was a division among them after Paul had said this one thing: Well did the Holy Spirit say by the prophet Isaiah to your fathers,
26 "Go to this people and say, You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
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Go to this people and say, Though you give ear, you will not get knowledge; and seeing, you will see, but the sense will not be clear to you:
27 For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.'
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For the heart of this people has become fat and their ears are slow in hearing and their eyes are shut; for fear that they might see with their eyes and give hearing with their ears and become wise in their hearts and be turned again to me, so that I might make them well.
28 Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."
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Be certain, then, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will give hearing.
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30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him,
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And for the space of two years, Paul was living in the house of which he had the use, and had talk with all those who went in to see him,
31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
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Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ without fear, and no orders were given that he was not to do so.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.