Acts 28 - Easy To Read Version

¹ When we were safe on land, we learned that the island was called Malta.

² It was raining and very cold. But the people that lived there were very good to us. They made a fire for us and welcomed all of us.

³ Paul gathered a pile of sticks for the fire. Paul was putting the sticks on the fire. A poisonous snake came out because of the heat and bit Paul on the hand.

⁴ The people living on the island saw the snake hanging from Paul’s hand. They said, “This man must be a murderer! He did not die in the sea, but Justice {\cf2\super [519]} does not want him to live.”

⁵ But Paul shook the snake off into the fire. Paul was not hurt.

⁶ The people thought that Paul would swell up or fall down dead. The people waited and watched Paul for a long time, but nothing bad happened to him. So the people changed their opinion of Paul. They said, “He is a god!”

⁷ There were some fields around that same area. A very important man on the island owned these fields. His name was Publius. He welcomed us into his home. Publius was very good to us. We stayed in his house for three days.

⁸ Publius’ father was very sick. He had a fever and dysentery. {\cf2\super [520]} But Paul went to him and prayed for him. Paul put his hands on the man and healed him.

^9-11 After this happened, all the other sick people on the island came to Paul. Paul healed them too.

¹² We stopped at the city of Syracuse. We stayed in Syracuse three days and then left.

¹³ We came to the city of Rhegium. The next day a wind began to blow from the southwest, so we were able to leave. A day later we came to the city of Puteoli.

¹⁴ We found some brothers (believers) there. They asked us to stay with them a week. Finally, we came to Rome.

¹⁵ The believers in Rome heard that we were there. They came out to meet us at the Market of Appius {\cf2\super [522]} and at the Three Inns. {\cf2\super [523]} When Paul saw these believers, he felt better. Paul thanked God.

¹⁶ Then we went to Rome. In Rome Paul was allowed to live alone. But a soldier stayed with Paul to guard him.

¹⁷ Three days later Paul sent for some of the most important Jews. When they came together, Paul said, “My Jewish brothers, I have done nothing against our people (the Jews). I have done nothing against the customs of our fathers. {\cf2\super [524]} But I was arrested in Jerusalem and given to the Romans.

¹⁸ The Romans asked me many questions. But they could not find any reason why I should be killed. So they wanted to let me go free.

¹⁹ But the Jews there did not want that. So I had to ask \{to come to Rome\} to have my trial before Caesar. {\cf2\super [525]} But I am not saying that my people (the Jews) have done anything wrong.

²⁰ That is why I wanted to see you and talk with you. I am bound with this chain because I believe in the hope of Israel. {\cf2\super [526]} ”

²¹ The Jews answered Paul, “We have received no letters from Judea about you. None of our Jewish brothers who have traveled from there (Judea) brought news about you or told us anything bad about you.

²² We want to hear your ideas. We know that people everywhere are speaking against this group (Christians).”

²³ Paul and the Jews chose a day for a meeting. On that day many more of these Jews met with Paul at his house. Paul spoke to them all day long. Paul explained the kingdom of God to them. Paul tried to persuade them to believe the things about Jesus. He used the law of Moses and the writings of the prophets {\cf2\super [527]} to do this.

²⁴ Some of the Jews believed the things Paul said, but others did not believe.

²⁵ They had an argument. The Jews were ready to leave, but Paul said one more thing to them: “The Holy Spirit {\cf2\super [528]} spoke the truth to your fathers {\cf2\super [529]} through Isaiah the prophet. {\cf2\super [530]} He said,

²⁶ ‘Go to this people (the Jews) and tell them:\par You will listen and you will hear,\par but you will not understand!\par You will look and you will see,\par but you will not understand\par what you see!\par

²⁷ Yes, the minds of these people (the Jews) are now closed.\par They have ears, but they don’t listen.\par And they refuse to see \{the truth\}.\par If their minds were not closed,\par they might see with their eyes;\par they might hear with their ears;\par they might understand with their minds.\par Then they might turn back to me and be healed.”\par \i (Isaiah 6:9-10)\i0 \par

²⁸ “I want you Jews to know that God has sent his salvation to the non-Jewish people. They will listen!”

²⁹ {\cf2\super [531]}

³⁰ Paul stayed two full years in his own rented house. He welcomed all people that came and visited him.

³¹ Paul told people about the kingdom of God. He taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. He was very bold (brave), and no one tried to stop him from speaking.