1: And when they were escaped, then they knew that the
island was called Melita. |
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2: And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for
they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present
rain, and because of the cold. |
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3:
And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them
on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his
hand. |
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4: And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his
hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom,
though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
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5: And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
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6: Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen
down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no
harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
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7:
In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the
island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three
days courteously. |
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8: And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a
fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and
laid his hands on him, and healed him. |
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9: So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the
island, came, and were healed: |
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10: Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed,
they laded us with such things as were necessary. |
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11: And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria,
which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. |
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12: And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
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13: And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium:
and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to
Puteoli: |
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14: Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them
seven days: and so we went toward Rome. |
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15: And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to
meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul
saw, he thanked God, and took courage. |
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16: And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the
prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by
himself with a soldier that kept him. |
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17: And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the
chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said
unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the
people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from
Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. |
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18: Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because
there was no cause of death in me. |
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19: But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to
appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. |
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20: For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you,
and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound
with this chain. |
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21: And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of
Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or
spake any harm of thee. |
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22: But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as
concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
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23: And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him
into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God,
persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out
of the prophets, from morning till evening. |
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24: And some believed the things which were spoken, and some
believed not. |
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25: And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed,
after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias
the prophet unto our fathers, |
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26: Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear,
and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
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27: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears
are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest 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. |
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28: Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is
sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. |
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29: And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had
great reasoning among themselves. |
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30: And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and
received all that came in unto him, |
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31: Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which
concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding
him. |