4. The people living on the island saw the snake hanging from Paul’s hand and said to each other, “This man must be a murderer! He did not die in the sea, but Justice does not want him to live.”
5. But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and was not hurt.
6. The people thought that Paul would swell up or fall down dead. They waited and watched him for a long time, but nothing bad happened to him. So they changed their minds and said, “He is a god!”
7. There were some fields around there owned by Publius, an important man on the island. He welcomed us into his home and was very good to us for three days.
8. Publius’ father was sick with a fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, and put his hands on the man and healed him.
9. After this, all the other sick people on the island came to Paul, and he healed them, too.
10-11. The people on the island gave us many honors. When we were ready to leave, three months later, they gave us the things we needed.We got on a ship from Alexandria that had stayed on the island during the winter. On the front of the ship was the sign of the twin gods.
12. We stopped at Syracuse for three days.
13. From there we sailed to Rhegium. The next day a wind began to blow from the south, and a day later we came to Puteoli.
14. We found some believers there who asked us to stay with them for a week. Finally, we came to Rome.
15. The believers in Rome heard that we were there and came out as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Inns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.
16. When we arrived at Rome, Paul was allowed to live alone, with the soldier who guarded him.
17. Three days later Paul sent for the leaders there. When they came together, he said, “Brothers, I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. But I was arrested in Jerusalem and given to the Romans.
18. After they asked me many questions, they could find no reason why I should be killed. They wanted to let me go free,
19. but the evil people there argued against that. So I had to ask to come to Rome to have my trial before Caesar. But I have no charge to bring against my own people.
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.”
21. They answered Paul, “We have received no letters from Judea about you. None of our Jewish brothers who have come from there brought news or told us anything bad about you.
22. But we want to hear your ideas, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this religious group.”