15. From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16. When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
17. After three days Paul called together those who were the Jewish leaders. When they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18. who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.
19. But when the Judeans spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.
20. For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
21. They said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you.
22. But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23. When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Yeshua, both from the Torah of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.
24. Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25. When they didn’t agree amongst themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
26. saying,‘Go to this people and say,in hearing, you will hear,but will in no way understand.In seeing, you will see,but will in no way perceive.
27. For this people’s heart has grown callous.Their ears are dull of hearing.Their eyes they have closed.Lest they should see with their eyes,hear with their ears,understand with their heart,and would turn again,then I would heal them.’