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Acts

Describes the early Christian church's formation and spread, from Jerusalem to Rome, focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 28

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1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

*When they got away, they found out the island's name was Melita.

2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

*The rough people were very nice to us. They made a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and very cold.

3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

*When Paul collected some sticks and put them on the fire, a snake appeared from the warmth and bit his hand.

4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

*When the barbarians saw the dangerous animal bite his hand, they talked among themselves, saying, "This man must be a killer. Even though he survived the sea, he cannot escape punishment."

5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

*He got rid of the animal into the fire, and wasn't hurt at all.

6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

*But when they expected him to grow big or die suddenly, they kept watching for a long time and saw no harm. So, they changed their minds and decided he must be a god.

7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

*In the same area belonged to a big leader named Publius. He welcomed us and let us stay with him for three days in a kind way.

8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

*One day, Publius' dad got very sick with a fever and bleeding. Paul went in, prayed, touched him, and made him better.

9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

*After that, more people from the island with illnesses arrived and were cured.

10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

*Who also gave us many ers; and when we left, they gave us what we needed.

11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

*After 3 months, we left on a ship from Alexandria that spent winter on the island. The ship's symbol was Castor and Pollux.

12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

*We arrived at Syracuse and stayed for three days.

13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

*From there, we changed direction and went to a place called Rhegium. The next day, a southern wind helped us sail, and the day after, we reached Puteoli.

14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

*Where we met brothers, and they wanted us to stay with them for a week: then we traveled to Rome.

15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

*After that, when the other believers heard about us, they came to welcome us all the way to Appii Forum and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and gained confidence.

16 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 that kept him.

*When we arrived in Rome, the soldier handed the prisoners to the head guard: however, Paul was allowed to live alone with a soldier who watched over him.

17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were 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.

*After three days, Paul gathered the Jewish leaders and told them, "Men and fellow Jews, I haven't done anything wrong to the people or their traditions. But I was still captured in Jerusalem and given to the Romans as a prisoner."

18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

*When they checked me, they would have released me, as I had no reason to die.

19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

*But when the Jews opposed it, I had to bring it to Caesar's attention; not because I wanted to accuse my people.

20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

*I called you here to talk with you because I'm committed to helping Israel through this challenge.

21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

*They said, "We didn't get any letters from Judaea about you, and no brothers who visited us talked about any harm to you."

22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

*We want to hear your thoughts because we know this group is always talked about negatively everywhere.

23 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 till evening.

*When they set a day for him, lots of people went to his temporary home. He explained and proved to them about God's kingdom using information from the Jewish laws and writings, talking about Jesus from morning to night.

24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

*Some people accepted what was said, while others did not believe it.

25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

*When they couldn't agree, they left after Paul said a word. The Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Isaiah to our ancestors.

26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

*Tell these people, "Even when you listen, you won't understand, and when you look, you won't notice."

27 For the heart of this people is 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.

*People's hearts have grown dull, they can't hear well, and they won't open their eyes. This is so they can't see, hear, or understand. If they did, they might change and get better, but I want to heal them.

28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

*So, understand this: God's saving grace is for everyone, not just a specific group, and they will learn about it.

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

*After he spoke those words, the Jews left and they argued a lot among themselves.

30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

*Paul lived for two full years in the house he rented, welcoming everyone who visited him.

31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

*Teaching about God's kingdom and what concerns Jesus, with complete confidence, no one stops him.

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