1 And when we got safe to land we then knew that the island was called Melita. 2 But the barbarians shewed us no common kindness; for, having kindled a fire, they took us all in because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 3 And Paul having gathered a certain quantity of sticks together in a bundle and laid it on the fire, a viper coming out from the heat seized his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said to one another, This man is certainly a murderer, whom, though saved out of the sea, Nemesis has not allowed to live. 5 He however, having shaken off the beast into the fire, felt no harm. 6 But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down suddenly dead. But when they had expected a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, changing their opinion, they said he was a god. 7 Now in the country surrounding that place were the lands belonging to the chief man of the island, by name Publius, who received us and gave us hospitality three days in a very friendly way. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay ill of fever and dysentery; to whom Paul entered in, and having prayed and laid his hands on him cured him. 9 But this having taken place, the rest also who had sicknesses in the island came and were healed: 10 who also honoured us with many honours, and on our leaving they made presents to us of what should minister to our wants.

11 And after three months we sailed in a ship which had wintered in the island, an Alexandrian, with the Dioscuri for its ensign. 12 And having come to Syracuse we remained three days. 13 Whence, going in a circuitous course, we arrived at Rhegium; and after one day, the wind having changed to south, on the second day we came to Puteoli, 14 where, having found brethren, we were begged to stay with them seven days. And thus we went to Rome. 15 And thence the brethren, having heard about us, came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Tres Tabernae, whom when Paul saw, he thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered up the prisoners to the praetorian prefect, but Paul was allowed to remain by himself with the soldier who kept him.

17 And it came to pass after three days, that he called together those who were the chief of the Jews; and when they had come together he said to them, Brethren, I having done nothing against the people or the customs of our forefathers, have been delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who having examined me were minded to let me go, because there was nothing worthy of death in me. 19 But the Jews speaking against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not as having anything to accuse my nation of. 20 For this cause therefore I have called you to me to see and to speak to you; for on account of the hope of Israel I have this chain about me. 21 And they said to him, For our part, we have neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor has any one of the brethren who has arrived reported or said anything evil concerning thee. 22 But we beg to hear of thee what thou thinkest, for as concerning this sect it is known to us that it is everywhere spoken against.

23 And having appointed him a day many came to him to the lodging, to whom he expounded, testifying of the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from early morning to evening. 24 And some were persuaded of the things which were said, but some disbelieved. 25 And being disagreed among themselves they left; Paul having spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Spirit through Esaias the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear and not understand, and seeing ye shall see and not perceive. 27 For the heart of this people has become fat, and they hear heavily with their ears, and they have closed their eyes; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 28 Be it known to you therefore, that this salvation of God has been sent to the nations; they also will hear it. 29 And he having said this, the Jews went away, having great reasoning among themselves.

30 And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom unhinderedly.

1 Kui me olime tervelt maale pääsenud, saime teda, et saart hüütakse Maltaks. 2 Saare elanikud osutasid meile ebatavalist lahkust. Nad süütasid lõkke ja võtsid meid selle äärde, sest sadas vihma ja oli külm. 3 Paulus korjas hunniku hagu, ja kui ta selle tulle pani, tuli kuumusest välja rästik, kes ta kätte kinni hakkas. 4 Kui saare elanikud nägid ussi tema käe küljes rippumas, ütlesid nad üksteisele: „See mees peab küll mõrtsukas olema! Õiguse jumalanna ei luba tal siin elada, kuigi ta on merest pääsenud." 5 Paulus aga viskas ussi tulle ja tal ei juhtunud mingit häda. 6 Rahvas ootas, et ta paistetab üles või kukub surnult maha, aga kui nad nägid, et Paulusega ei juhtu midagi ebatavalist, mõtlesid nad ümber ja ütlesid, et ta on jumal.

7 Selle paiga lähedal oli mõis, mis kuulus saare valitsejale Publiusele. Tema võttis meid vastu ja võõrustas meid heldelt kolm päeva. 8 Publiuse isa lamas aga palaviku ja kõhutõvega voodis. Paulus läks tema juurde ja pani palvetades käed tema peale ning tegi ta terveks. 9 Kui see oli sündinud, tulid sinna ka teised saarel olevad haiged, ja said terveks. 10 Ja nemad austasid meid mitmel viisil, ja kui me olime valmis merele minema, andsid nad meile teekonna jaoks kõik vajaliku.

11 Kolme kuu pärast me läksime sealt merele Aleksandria laevaga, mis oli saarel olnud ületalve ja mille tunnuseks oli Dioskuuride kuju. 12 Me randusime Sürakuusas ja jäime sinna kolmeks päevaks. 13 Sealt me sõitsime edasi ja saabusime Reegiumi. Ja kui järgmisel päeval tõusis lõunatuul, jõudsime teisel päeval Puteolisse. 14 Sealt me leidsime vendi ja õdesid, kelle kutsel jäime nende juurde seitsmeks päevaks. Ja nii me tulime Rooma. 15 Ja kui sealsed vennad ja õed meist kuulda said, tulid nad meile vastu Appiuse Foorumini ja Tres Tabernani. Neid inimesi nähes tänas Paulus Jumalat ning sai julgustust. 16 Kui me olime saabunud Rooma, lubati Paulusel omaette elada ühe sõduri valve all.

17 Kolm päeva hiljem kutsus Paulus kokku juutide juhid. Kui need olid kogunenud, ütles Paulus neile: „Mu vennad, kuigi mina ei ole teinud midagi meie rahva ja esivanemate kommete vastu, vahistati mind Jeruusalemmas ja anti üle roomlaste kätte. 18 Ja kui need mind üle kuulasid, tahtsid nad mind vabaks lasta, sest mul ei olnud ühtki surmasüüd. 19 Aga kui juudid olid selle vastu, olin ma sunnitud pöörduma keisri poole. Mul polnud mingit kavatsust oma rahva vastu süüdistust esitada. 20 Sel põhjusel palusin teid näha ja teiega rääkida. Iisraeli lootuse pärast ma olen kinni ahelates."

21 Aga nemad vastasid: „Me ei ole saanud Juudamaalt ühtegi kirja sinu kohta ega ole tulnud siia ühtegi inimest, kes sinust oleks midagi paha teatanud või rääkinud. 22 Aga me tahame siiski sinu käest kuulda, mida sa mõtled, sest me teame, et selle lahkusu vastu räägitakse kõikjal."

23 Nad korraldasid ühel päeval Paulusega kokkusaamise ja siis tuli veel rohkem inimesi sinna, kus ta viibis. Neile ta tunnistas ja seletas hommikust õhtuni Jumala riigist ning veenis Moosese Seaduse ja Prohvetite põhjal uskuma Jeesusesse. 24 Mõned lasksid end öeldust veenda, teised aga ei suutnud uskuda. 25 Jõudmata ühisele nõule, lahkusid nad pärast seda, kui Paulus oli öelnud oma viimase sõna: „Püha Vaim rääkis tõtt prohvet Jesaja kaudu teie esivanematele:

26 „Mine selle rahva juurde ja ütle:

„Te küll kuulate, aga ei mõista,

te küll vaatate, aga ei näe."

27 Selle rahva süda on kalestunud

ja nende kõrvakuulmine on nüri

ja nad on sulgenud oma silmad.

Muidu nad näeksid oma silmadega

ja kuuleksid oma kõrvadega

ja mõistaksid südamega

ning pöörduksid, ja ma teeksin nad terveks."

28 Siis olgu teile teada, et see Jumala pääste on läkitatud teistele rahvastele ja nemad võtavad seda kuulda!" 29 Kui ta seda oli öelnud, läksid juudid ära omavahel ägedalt vaieldes.

30 Paulus jäi kaheks aastaks oma üürimajja ja võttis vastu kõiki, kes tema juurde tulid. 31 Ta kuulutas Jumala riiki ning õpetas Issandast Jeesusest Kristusest julgelt ja takistusteta!