Ma'ashym (Acts) — 28
Shaul on the Island of Malta
1 After we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta.
2 The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.
3 As Shaul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand.
4 The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.”
5 But Shaul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed.
6 The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he was not harmed, they changed their minds and decided that Shaul was a deity.
7 Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days.
8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Shaul went in to him and prayed, and Shaul laid his hands on him and healed him.
9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.
10 They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.
Shaul Arrives at Rome
11 It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian ship with the twin idols as its figurehead.
12 Our first stop was Syracuse, where we stayed three days.
13 From there we sailed across to Rhegium. A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli.
14 There we found some believers of Truth, who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.
15 The Achks (brothers) and Achutys (sisters) in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum on the Appian Way. Others joined us at the three Taverns. When Shaul saw them, he was encouraged and he gave Tudah to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.
16 When we arrived in Rome, Shaul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.
Shaul Preaches at Rome under Guard
17 Three days after Shaul’s arrival, he called together the local Yahudym leaders, he said to them, “brothers, I was arrested in Yahushalam and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors.
18 The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence.
19 But when the Yahudym leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people.
20 I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Yashar'AL, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏_YAHUSHA Ha'Mashyach has already come.
21 They replied, “We have had no letters from Yahudah or reports against you from anyone who has come here.
22 But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.”
23 So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Shaul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH and tried to persuade them about 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏_YAHUSHA from the Scriptures. Using the law of Musha and the books of the Nabyms, he spoke to them from morning until evening.
24 Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe.
25 And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Shaul: “The RUACH Ha'Qadash was right when He said to your fathers through Yashayahu the Nabym,
26 ‘Go and say to this people: When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.
27 For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes, so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’
28 So I want you to know that this salvation from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has also been offered to the other nations, and they will accept it.”
29 And when he had said these words, the Yahudym departed and had a great dispute among themselves
30 For the next two years, Shaul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him,
31 boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH and teaching about 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏_YAHUSHA Ha'Mashyach. And no one tried to stop Shaul.
Tudah Rabah 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH our ALUAH
Ba Ha'Sham 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏_YAHUSHA Ha'Mashyach