21
"For our part," they replied, "we have not received any letters from Judaea about you, nor have any of our countrymen come here and reported or stated anything to your disadvantage.
22
But we should be glad to hear from you what it is that you believe; for as for this sect all we know is that it is everywhere spoken against."
23
So they arranged a day with him and came to him in considerable numbers at the house of the friends who were entertaining him. And then, with solemn earnestness, he explained to them the subject of the Kingdom of God, endeavouring from morning till evening to convince them about Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
24
Some were convinced; others refused to believe.
25
Unable to agree among themselves, they at last left him, but not before Paul had spoken a parting word to them, saying, "Right well did the Holy Spirit say to your forefathers through the Prophet Isaiah:
26
"`Go to this people and tell them, you will hear and hear, and by no means understand; and will look and look, and by no means see.
27
For this people's mind has grown callous, their hearing has become dull, and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes, or hearing with their ears, or understanding with their minds, and turning back, so that I might cure them.'
28
"Be fully assured, therefore, that this salvation--God's salvation--has now been sent to the Gentiles, and that they, at any rate, will give heed."
30
After this Paul lived for fully two years in a hired house of his own, receiving all who came to see him.
31
He announced the coming of the Kingdom of God, and taught concerning the Lord Jesus Christ without let or hindrance.