Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

When we had escaped from the shipwreck, we learned that the island where we landed was called Malta. The people there were kind to us in a way that surprised even us; they lit a fire for warmth and welcomed each of us into their homes because of the pouring rain and cold.

While Paul gathered some sticks to add to the fire, a poisonous snake came out from the heat and wrapped itself around his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "This man must be a murderer; he's lucky to have escaped the sea, but obviously he deserves to die." But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and didn't seem any worse for it.

When we waited for him to swell up or fall dead, nothing out of the ordinary happened. So they changed their minds and decided that Paul must be a god. Meanwhile, the chief official on the island, Publius, invited us to stay with him in his home for three days. His father was ill with fever and dysentery, so Paul went to visit him, prayed, laid hands on him, and healed him.

After that, others who were sick came from all over the island, and they too received healing through Paul's ministry. We were honored by the people of Malta with many expressions of gratitude. When it was time for us to leave, they loaded us up with everything we needed for our journey.

We set sail in a ship called the "Castor and Pollux," which had spent the winter on the island. From there, we sailed to Syracuse, where we stayed for three days. Then we sailed around the coast to Rhegium and caught the south wind, which took us to Puteoli after just one day at sea. The next day, we arrived in Rome.

When we got to Rome, some of our brothers met us as far as Appii Forum and The Three Taverns, where they welcomed us warmly. Paul thanked God for their presence and found strength in it.

The centurion handed over the other prisoners to the commander of the guard, but since Paul was a Roman citizen, he got special treatment and could live on his own with a soldier assigned to watch him. After three days, Paul invited the leaders of the Jewish community to meet with him. "Men and brothers," he said, "I've done nothing wrong against our people or their customs, but I'm here in Rome as a prisoner from Jerusalem.

"I was willing to appeal to Caesar, not because I had any charges against my fellow Jews, but because they spoke out against me. That's why I wanted to see you and speak with you – I'm bound by this chain for the sake of Israel's hope.

"We've received no letters or reports about you from Judea, and we know that everywhere else people are speaking out against this movement. We want to hear what you think – tell us what you believe about this sect."

When they had set a date for Paul to speak with them, many people came to his home, where he shared the message of God's kingdom, using both the law of Moses and the prophets as evidence that Jesus is the Messiah. Some believed him, while others didn't.

As the discussion became heated, Paul stood up and quoted from Isaiah: "You will hear with your ears but not understand; you will see with your eyes but not perceive." He told them that their hearts were hardened, their ears dull to hearing, and their eyes closed to seeing. But God's salvation is being sent to the Gentiles – they'll finally hear it.

When Paul finished speaking, the Jews departed, arguing among themselves about what he had said. For two whole years, Paul lived in a rented house, receiving all who came to visit him. He preached about God's kingdom and taught about Jesus Christ with complete confidence, never discouraged by anyone or anything that stood in his way.