1 Estando já salvos, soubemos então que a ilha se chamava Malta.2 Os indígenas trataram-nos com muita humanidade, porque, acendendo uma fogueira, acolheram-nos a todos por causa da chuva que caía e por causa do frio.3 Tendo Paulo ajuntado e posto sobre a fogueira um feixe de gravetos, uma víbora, fugindo por causa do calor, mordeu-lhe a mão.4 Quando os indígenas viram o réptil pendente da mão de Paulo, diziam uns para os outros: Certamente este homem é homicida, pois embora salvo do mar, a Justiça não o deixou viver.5 Porém ele, sacudindo o réptil no fogo, não sofreu mal algum;6 mas eles esperavam que ele viesse a inchar ou a cair morto de repente. Porém tendo esperado muito tempo e vendo que nada de anormal lhe sucedia, mudando de parecer, diziam que era ele um deus.7 Na vizinhança daquele lugar havia algumas terras pertencentes ao homem principal da ilha, chamado Públio, o qual nos recebeu e hospedou com muita bondade por três dias.8 Estando doente de cama com febre e disenteria o pai de Públio, Paulo foi visitá-lo e, tendo feito oração, impôs-lhe as mãos e o curou.9 Feito isto, os outros doentes da ilha vinham também e eram curados,10 e estes nos distinguiram com muitas honras e, ao partirmos, puseram a bordo o que nos era necessário.11 No fim de três meses fizemos ao mar em um navio de Alexandria, que havia invernado na ilha, o qual tinha por insígnia Castor e Polux.12 Tocando em Siracusa, ficamos aí três dias,13 donde bordejando, chegamos a Régio. No dia seguinte soprou o vento sul, e chegamos em dois dias a Poteoli;14 onde tendo achado alguns irmãos, estes nos rogaram que ficássemos com eles sete dias; e assim fomos a Roma.15 Tendo aí os irmãos sabido notícias nossas, vieram ao nosso encontro até a praça de Ápio e às três vendas, e Paulo, quando os viu, deu graças a Deus e cobrou ânimo.16 Quando chegamos a Roma, permitiu-se a Paulo que ficasse em um aposento particular com o soldado que o guardava.17 Decorridos três dias, convocou ele os judeus principais; e havendo-se reunido eles, disse-lhes: Eu, irmãos, apesar de nada ter feito contra o nosso povo ou contra o rito de nossos pais, desde Jerusalém fui entregue preso nas mãos dos romanos18 que, tendo-me interrogado, queriam soltar-me, por não haver em mim crime algum que merecesse morte;19 mas opondo-se a isso os judeus, fui obrigado a apelar para César, não tendo, contudo, coisa alguma de que acusar a minha nação.20 Por este motivo mandei chamar-vos, para vos ver e falar; pôs pela esperança de Israel estou preso com esta corrente.21 Porém eles lhe disseram: Não recebemos carta da Judéia a teu respeito nem veio de lá irmão algum que contasse ou dissesse mal de ti.22 Mas desejaríamos ouvir de ti o que pensas; pois relativamente a esta seita sabemos que por toda a parte é ela impugnada.23 Tendo-lhe marcado um dia, foram em grande número ter com ele à sua morada; aos quais desde a manhã até a noite, dando testemunho, expunha o reino de Deus, persuadindo-os acerca de Jesus pela Lei de Moisés e pelos profetas.24 Uns se deixavam persuadir por suas palavras, e outros permaneciam incrédulos;25 e não estando entre si concordes, retiravam-se quando Paulo lhes disse estas palavras: Bem falou o Espírito Santo a vossos pais pelo profeta Isaías:26 Vai a este povo e dize: Certamente ouvireis, e de nenhum modo entendereis; Certamente vereis, e de nenhum modo percebereis.27 Pois o coração deste povo se fez pesado, E os seus ouvidos se fizeram tardos E eles fecharam os olhos; Para não suceder que vendo com os olhos E ouvindo com os ouvidos, Entendam no coração, e se convertam, E eu os sare.28 Ficai sabendo, portanto, que esta salvação de Deus é enviada aos gentios; eles também a ouvirão.29 {E havendo ele dito isto, partiram os judeus, tendo entre si grande contenda.}30 Durante dois anos inteiros permaneceu no seu aposento alugado, e recebia todos os que vinham ter com ele,31 pregando o reino de Deus e ensinando as coisas concernentes ao Senhor Jesus Cristo com toda a liberdade e sem impedimento.

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.