1 Havendo escapado, então, souberam que a ilha se chamava Malta. 2 E os bárbaros usaram conosco de não pouca humanidade; porque, acendendo uma grande fogueira, nos recolheram a todos por causa da chuva que caía e por causa do frio. 3 E, havendo Paulo ajuntado uma quantidade de vides e pondo-as no fogo, uma víbora, fugindo do calor, lhe acometeu a mão. 4 E os bárbaros, vendo-lhe a víbora pendurada na mão, diziam uns aos outros: Certamente este homem é homicida, visto como, escapando do mar, a Justiça não o deixa viver. 5 Mas, sacudindo ele a víbora no fogo, não padeceu nenhum mal. 6 E eles esperavam que viesse a inchar ou a cair morto de repente; mas tendo esperado já muito e vendo que nenhum incômodo lhe sobrevinha, mudando de parecer, diziam que era um deus.

7 E ali, próximo daquele mesmo lugar, havia umas herdades que pertenciam ao principal da ilha, por nome Públio, o qual nos recebeu e hospedou benignamente por três dias. 8 Aconteceu estar de cama enfermo de febres e disenteria o pai de Públio, que Paulo foi ver, e, havendo orado, pôs as mãos sobre ele e o curou. 9 Feito, pois, isto, vieram também ter com ele os demais que na ilha tinham enfermidades e sararam, 10 os quais nos distinguiram também com muitas honras; e, havendo de navegar, nos proveram das coisas necessárias.

11 Três meses depois, partimos num navio de Alexandria, que invernara na ilha, o qual tinha por insígnia Castor e Pólux. 12 E, chegando a Siracusa, ficamos ali três dias, 13 donde, indo costeando, viemos a Régio; e, soprando, um dia depois, um vento do sul, chegamos no segundo dia a Putéoli, 14 onde, achando alguns irmãos, nos rogaram que por sete dias ficássemos com eles; e depois nos dirigimos a Roma. 15 E de lá, ouvindo os irmãos novas de nós, nos saíram ao encontro à Praça de Ápio e às Três Vendas, e Paulo, vendo-os, deu graças a Deus e tomou ânimo.

16 E, logo que chegamos a Roma, o centurião entregou os presos ao general dos exércitos; mas a Paulo se lhe permitiu morar por sua conta, com o soldado que o guardava.

17 E aconteceu que, três dias depois, Paulo convocou os principais dos judeus e, juntos eles, lhes disse: Varões irmãos, não havendo eu feito nada contra o povo ou contra os ritos paternos, vim, contudo, preso desde Jerusalém, entregue nas mãos dos romanos, 18 os quais, havendo-me examinado, queriam soltar-me, por não haver em mim crime algum de morte. 19 Mas, opondo-se os judeus, foi-me forçoso apelar para César, não tendo, contudo, de que acusar a minha nação. 20 Por esta causa vos chamei, para vos ver e falar; porque pela esperança de Israel estou com esta cadeia. 21 Então, eles lhe disseram: Nós não recebemos acerca de ti cartas algumas da Judeia, nem veio aqui algum dos irmãos que nos anunciasse ou dissesse de ti mal algum. 22 No entanto, bem quiséramos ouvir de ti o que sentes; porque, quanto a esta seita, notório nos é que em toda parte se fala contra ela.

23 E, havendo-lhe eles assinalado um dia, muitos foram ter com ele à pousada, aos quais declarava com bom testemunho o Reino de Deus e procurava persuadi-los à fé de Jesus, tanto pela lei de Moisés como pelos profetas, desde pela manhã até à tarde. 24 E alguns criam no que se dizia, mas outros não criam. 25 E, como ficaram entre si discordes, se despediram, dizendo Paulo esta palavra: Bem falou o Espírito Santo a nossos pais pelo profeta Isaías, 26 dizendo: Vai a este povo e dize: De ouvido, ouvireis e de maneira nenhuma entendereis; e, vendo, vereis e de maneira nenhuma percebereis. 27 Porquanto o coração deste povo está endurecido, e com os ouvidos ouviram pesadamente e fecharam os olhos, para que nunca com os olhos vejam, nem com os ouvidos ouçam, nem do coração entendam, e se convertam, e eu os cure. 28 Seja-vos, pois, notório que esta salvação de Deus é enviada aos gentios, e eles a ouvirão. 29 E, havendo ele dito isto, partiram os judeus, tendo entre si grande contenda.

30 E Paulo ficou dois anos inteiros na sua própria habitação que alugara e recebia todos quantos vinham vê-lo, 31 pregando o Reino de Deus e ensinando com toda a liberdade as coisas pertencentes ao Senhor Jesus Cristo, sem impedimento algum.

1 And when we had escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita. But the barbarians shewed us no small courtesy.2 For kindling a fire, they refreshed us all, because of the present rain, and of 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.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.5 And he indeed shaking off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm.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.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.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.9 Which being done, all that had diseases in the island, came and were healed:10 Who also honoured us with many honours, and when we were to set sail, they laded us with such things as were necessary.11 And after three months, we sailed in a ship of Alexandria, that had wintered in the island, whose sign was the Castors.12 And when we were come to Syracusa, we tarried there 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;14 Where, finding brethren, we were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went to Rome.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.16 And when we were come to Rome, Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kept 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;18 Who, when they had examined me, would have released me, for that there was no cause of death in me;19 But the Jews contradicting it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had any thing to accuse my nation of.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.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.22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, we know that it is every where contradicted.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.24 And some believed the things that were said; but some believed not.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,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.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.28 Be it known therefore to you, that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.29 And when he had said these things, the Jews went out from him, having much reasoning among themselves.30 And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging; and he received all that came in to him,31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, without prohibition.