Acts
Chapter 28 14-31
14There we found some
brothers who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they
traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of
these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16When we got
to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard
17Three
days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said
to them: "My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the
customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not
guilty of any crime deserving death. 19But when the Jews
objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—not that I had any charge to bring
against my own people. 20For this reason I have asked to see
you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this
chain."
21They
replied, "We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of the
brothers who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people
everywhere are talking against this sect."
23They
arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where
he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of
God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not
believe. 25They disagreed among themselves and began to leave
after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your
forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26" 'Go to this people and say,
"You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving."
27For this people's heart has become
calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.'
28"Therefore
I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will
listen!"
30For two
whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see
him. 31Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom
of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
