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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.
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