Chapter 28

  And when they had escaped, then they knew that the isle was called Melita.  

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

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  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.  

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  And when the barbarians saw the animal 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.  

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

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  Yet they looked when he would have swelled, 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.  

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

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

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  So when this was done, others also who had diseases in the isle, came, and were healed:  

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  Who also honored us with many honors; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.  

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

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  And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.  

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

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

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  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.  

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  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.  

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  And it came to pass, that after three days, Paul called together the chief of the Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them, Men, brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.  

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

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  But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Cesar; not that I had aught to accuse my nation of.  

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  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.  

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  And they said to him, We have neither received letters from Judea concerning thee, neither have any of the brethren that came shown or spoken any harm of thee.  

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

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  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.  

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

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  And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after Paul had spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Spirit by Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,  

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  Saying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive.  

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  For the heart of this people is become 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.  

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

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

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

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

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