14 | Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
18 | Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. |
19 | But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had aught to accuse my nation of. |
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. |
21 | And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spake any harm of thee. |
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. |
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. |
24 | And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. |
25 | And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers, |
26 | saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: |
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. |
28 | Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. |
29 | And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. |
30 | And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, |
31 | Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. |