Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 And when we had escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita. But the barbarians shewed us no small courtesy.
1
When we were safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta.
2 For kindling a fire, they refreshed us all, because of the present rain and of the cold.
2
The people who lived on the island were unusually kind to us. They made a fire and welcomed all of us around it because of the rain and the cold.
3 And when Paul had gathered together a bundle of sticks and had laid them on the fire, a viper, coming out of the heat, fastened on his hand.
3
Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire. The heat forced a poisonous snake out of the brushwood. The snake bit Paul's hand and wouldn't let go.
4 And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging on his hand, they said one to another: Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, who, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance doth not suffer him to live.
4
When the people who lived on the island saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer! He may have escaped from the sea, but justice won't let him live."
5 And he indeed, shaking off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm.
5
Paul shook the snake into the fire and wasn't harmed.
6 But they supposed that he would begin to swell up and that he would suddenly fall down and die. But expecting long and seeing that there came no harm to him, changing their minds, they said that he was a god.
6
The people were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they had waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
7 Now in these places were possessions of the chief man of the island, named Publius: who, receiving us for three days, entertained us courteously.
7
A man named Publius, who was the governor of the island, had property around the area. He welcomed us and treated us kindly, and for three days we were his guests.
8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux. To whom Paul entered in. And when he had prayed and laid his hands on him, he healed him.
8
His father happened to be sick in bed. He was suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, placed his hands on him, and made him well.
9 Which being done, all that had diseases in the island came and were healed.
9
After that had happened, other sick people on the island went to Paul and were made well.
10 Who also honoured us with many honours: and when we were to set sail, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
10
They showed respect for us in many ways, and when we were going to set sail, they put whatever we needed on board.
11 And after three months, we sailed in a ship of Alexandria, that had wintered in the island, whose sign was the Castors.
11
After three months we sailed on an Alexandrian ship that had spent the winter at the island. The ship had the gods Castor and Pollux carved on its front.
12 And when we were come to Syracusa, we tarried there three days.
12
We stopped at the city of Syracuse and stayed there for three days.
13 From thence, compassing by the shore, we came to Rhegium: and after one day, the south wind blowing, we came the second day to Puteoli:
13
We sailed from Syracuse and arrived at the city of Rhegium. The next day a south wind began to blow, and two days later we arrived at the city of Puteoli.
14 Where, finding brethren, we were desired to tarry with them seven days. And so we went to Rome.
14
In Puteoli we discovered some believers who begged us to spend a week with them.
15 And from thence, when the brethren had heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and the Three Taverns. Whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to God and took courage.
15
Believers in Rome heard that we were coming, so they came as far as the cities of Appius' Market and Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and felt encouraged. So we finally arrived in the city of Rome.
16 And when we were come to Rome, Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kept him.
16
After our arrival, Paul was allowed to live by himself, but he had a soldier who guarded him.
17 And after the third day, he called together the chief of the Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them: Men, brethren, I, having done nothing against the people or the custom of our fathers, was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
17
After three days Paul invited the most influential Jews in Rome to meet with him. When they assembled, he said to them, "Brothers, I haven't done anything against the Jewish people or violated the customs handed down by our ancestors. Yet, I'm a prisoner from Jerusalem, and I've been handed over to the Roman authorities.
18 Who, when they had examined me, would have released me, for that there was no cause of death in me.
18
The Roman authorities cross-examined me and wanted to let me go because I was accused of nothing for which I deserved to die.
19 But the Jews contradicting it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar: not that I had anything to accuse my nation of.
19
But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal my case to the emperor. That doesn't mean I have any charges to bring against my own people.
20 For this cause therefore I desired to see you and to speak to you. Because that for the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain.
20
That's why I asked to see you and speak with you. I'm wearing these chains because of what Israel hopes for."
21 But they said to him: We neither received letters concerning thee from Judea: neither did any of the brethren that came hither relate or speak any evil of thee.
21
The Jewish leaders told Paul, "We haven't received any letters from Judea about you, and no Jewish person who has come to Rome has reported or mentioned anything bad about you.
22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that it is every where contradicted.
22
However, we would like to hear what you think. We know that everywhere people are talking against this sect."
23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came very many to him unto his lodgings. To whom he expounded, testifying the kingdom of God and persuading them concerning Jesus, out of the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning until evening.
23
On a designated day a larger number of influential Jews [than expected] went to the place where Paul was staying. From morning until evening, Paul was explaining the kingdom of God to them. He was trying to convince them about Jesus from Moses' Teachings and the Prophets.
24 And some believed the things that were said: but some believed not.
24
Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others continued to disbelieve.
25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, Paul speaking this one word: Well did the Holy Ghost speak to our fathers by Isaias the prophet,
25
The Jews, unable to agree among themselves, left after Paul had quoted this particular passage to them: "How well the Holy Spirit spoke to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah!
26 Saying: Go to this people and say to them: With the ear you shall hear and shall not understand: and seeing you shall see and shall not perceive.
26
The Spirit said: 'Go to these people and say, "You will hear clearly but never understand. You will see clearly but never comprehend.
27 For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears have they heard heavily and their eyes they have shut, lest perhaps 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.
27
These people have become close-minded and hard of hearing. They have shut their eyes so that their eyes never see. Their ears never hear. Their minds never understand. And they never turn to me for healing."'
28 Be it known therefore to you that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles: and they will hear it.
28
"You need to know that God has sent his salvation to people who are not Jews. They will listen."
29 And when he had said these things, the Jews went out from him, having much reasoning among themselves.
29
30 And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging: and he received all that came in to him,
30
Paul rented a place to live for two full years and welcomed everyone who came to him.
31 Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, without prohibition.
31
He spread the message about God's kingdom and taught very boldly about the Lord Jesus Christ. No one stopped him.