1 When we had escaped, then they*28:1 NU reads "we" learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present rain and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live." 5 However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed. 6 But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and courteously entertained us for three days. 8 The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him. 9 Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came and were cured. 10 They also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.

11 After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose figurehead was "The Twin Brothers." 12 Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 13 From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli, 14 where we found brothers,*28:14 The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings." and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome. 15 From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 16 When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

17 After three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, "I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me. 19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation. 20 For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."

21 They said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against."

23 When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening. 24 Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one message: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying,

‘Go to this people and say,

in hearing, you will hear,

but will in no way understand.

In seeing, you will see,

but will in no way perceive.

27 For this people’s heart has grown callous.

Their ears are dull of hearing.

Their eyes they have closed.

Lest they should see with their eyes,

hear with their ears,

understand with their heart,

and would turn again,

then I would heal them.’✝28:27 Isaiah 6:9-10

28 "Be it known therefore to you that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will listen."

29 When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.*28:29 NU omits verse 29.

30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who were coming to him, 31 preaching God’s Kingdom and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

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!