¶ And when they were scaped they knew that the isle was called Mileta. The people of the country shewed us no little kindness, for they kindled a fire and received us every one because of the present rain, and because of cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, And put them into the fire, a viper (because of the heat) crept out leapt on his hand. When the men of the country saw the worm hang on his hand, they said among themselves: this man must needs be a murderer: Whom (though he have escaped the sea) yet vengeance suffereth not to live. and he shook off the vermin into the fire, and felt no harm. They waited when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly. But after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a God.
¶ In the same quarters, the chief man of the isle whose name was Publius, had a lordship: which received us, and lodged us three days courteously. It fortuned that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever, and of a bloody flux to whom Paul entered in and prayed, and laid his hands on him and healed him. When this was done, other also which had diseases in the isle, came and were healed: And they did us great honour. And when we departed, they laded us with things necessary.
¶ After three months we departed in a ship of Alexandry, which had wintered in the isle, whose badge was Castor and Pollux. And when we came to Ciracusa, we tarried there iij. days, from whence we sailed about and came to Regium. And after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Putiolus where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days, and so came we to Rome. and from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to Apiphorum, and three taverns, and met us. When Paul saw them he thanked God, and waxed bold. When he came to Rome, the undercaptain delivered the prisoners to the chief captain of the host: but Paul was suffered to dwell alone with one Soldier that kept him.
¶ It fortuned after three days Paul called the chief of the jewes to gether. When they were come, he said unto them: Men and brethren, though I have committed no thing against the people, or laws of our fathers: yet was I delivered prisoner from Ierusalem into the hands of the romans. Which when they had examined me, would have let me go, because they found no cause of death in me: but when the jewes cried contrary: I was constrained to appeal unto Cesar. Not because I had ought to accuse my people of. For this cause have I called for you to see you, and to speak with you. For I because of the hope of Israhel, am bound with this chain.
¶ And they said unto him: We neither received letters out of Jewry pertaining unto thee, neither came any of the brethren that shewed or spake any harm of thee. But we will hear of thee what thou thinkest. For we have heard of this sect, that everywhere it is spoken against. When they had appointed him a day, there came many unto him into his lodging: to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God. and preached unto them of Iesu: both by the law of Moses, and also out by the prophets from morning to night. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
¶ When they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word: well spake the holy ghost by Esay the prophet unto our fathers, saying: Go unto this people and say: with your ears shall ye hear, and shall not understand: and with your eyes shall ye see and shall not perceive. For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears wexe thick of hearing, and their eyes have they closed, lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that this consolation of God is sent to the gentiles, and they shall hear it. And when he had said that, the jewes departed from him, and had great despicions among themselves.
¶ But Paul dwelt two years in his lodging. And received all that came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concerned the Lord Iesus with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Here endeth the Actes off the Apostles.
© Faith of God
William Tyndale 1526