1Uma vez em terra, descobrimos que a ilha se chamava Malta.2Os habitantes da ilha mostraram extraordinária bondade para conosco. Fizeram uma fogueira e receberam bem a todos nós, pois estava chovendo e fazia frio.3Paulo ajuntou um monte de gravetos; quando os colocava no fogo, uma víbora, fugindo do calor, prendeu-se à sua mão.4Quando os habitantes da ilha viram a cobra agarrada na mão de Paulo, disseram uns aos outros: “Certamente este homem é assassino, pois, tendo escapado do mar, a Justiça não lhe permite viver”.5Mas Paulo, sacudindo a cobra no fogo, não sofreu mal nenhum.6Eles, porém, esperavam que ele começasse a inchar ou que caísse morto de repente, mas, tendo esperado muito tempo e vendo que nada de estranho lhe sucedia, mudaram de ideia e passaram a dizer que ele era um deus.7Próximo dali havia uma propriedade pertencente a Públio, o homem principal da ilha. Ele nos convidou a ficar em sua casa e, por três dias, bondosamente nos recebeu e nos hospedou.8Seu pai estava doente, acamado, sofrendo de febre e disenteria. Paulo entrou para vê-lo e, depois de orar, impôs-lhe as mãos e o curou.9Tendo acontecido isso, os outros doentes da ilha vieram e foram curados.10Eles nos prestaram muitas honras e, quando estávamos para embarcar, forneceram-nos os suprimentos de que necessitávamos.
A Chegada a Roma
11Passados três meses, embarcamos num navio que tinha passado o inverno na ilha; era um navio alexandrino, que tinha por emblema os deuses gêmeos Cástor e Pólux.12Aportando em Siracusa, ficamos ali três dias.13Dali partimos e chegamos a Régio. No dia seguinte, soprando o vento sul, prosseguimos, chegando a Potéoli no segundo dia.14Ali encontramos alguns irmãos que nos convidaram a passar uma semana com eles. E depois fomos para Roma.15Os irmãos dali tinham ouvido falar que estávamos chegando e vieram até a praça de Ápio e às Três Vendas para nos encontrar. Vendo-os, Paulo deu graças a Deus e sentiu-se encorajado.16Quando chegamos a Roma, Paulo recebeu permissão para morar por conta própria, sob a custódia de um soldado.
A Pregação de Paulo em Roma
17Três dias depois, ele convocou os líderes dos judeus. Quando estes se reuniram, Paulo lhes disse: “Meus irmãos, embora eu não tenha feito nada contra o nosso povo nem contra os costumes dos nossos antepassados, fui preso em Jerusalém e entregue aos romanos.18Eles me interrogaram e queriam me soltar, porque eu não era culpado de crime algum que merecesse pena de morte.19Todavia, tendo os judeus feito objeção, fui obrigado a apelar para César, não, porém, por ter alguma acusação contra o meu próprio povo.20Por essa razão pedi para vê-los e conversar com vocês. Por causa da esperança de Israel é que estou preso com estas algemas”.21Eles responderam: “Não recebemos nenhuma carta da Judeia a seu respeito, e nenhum dos irmãos que vieram de lá relatou ou disse qualquer coisa de mal contra você.22Todavia, queremos ouvir de sua parte o que você pensa, pois sabemos que por todo lugar há gente falando contra esta seita”.23Assim combinaram encontrar-se com Paulo em dia determinado, indo em grupo ainda mais numeroso ao lugar onde ele estava. Desde a manhã até a tarde ele lhes deu explicações e lhes testemunhou do Reino de Deus, procurando convencê-los a respeito de Jesus, com base na Lei de Moisés e nos Profetas.24Alguns foram convencidos pelo que ele dizia, mas outros não creram.25Discordaram entre si mesmos e começaram a ir embora, depois de Paulo ter feito esta declaração final: “Bem que o Espírito Santo falou aos seus antepassados, por meio do profeta Isaías:26“ ‘Vá a este povo e diga: Ainda que estejam sempre ouvindo, vocês nunca entenderão; ainda que estejam sempre vendo, jamais perceberão.27Pois o coração deste povo se tornou insensível; de má vontade ouviram com os ouvidos e fecharam os olhos. Se assim não fosse, poderiam ver com os olhos, ouvir com os ouvidos, entender com o coração e converter-se, e eu os curaria’.28“Portanto, quero que saibam que esta salvação de Deus é enviada aos gentios; eles a ouvirão!”29Depois que ele disse isto, os judeus se retiraram, discutindo intensamente entre si.[1]30Por dois anos inteiros Paulo permaneceu na casa que havia alugado e recebia a todos os que iam vê-lo.31Pregava o Reino de Deus e ensinava a respeito do Senhor Jesus Cristo, abertamente, sem impedimento algum.
1After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. (At 27:26; At 27:39)2The native people[1] showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. (At 27:3; At 28:4; Rm 1:14; 1 Co 14:11; Cl 3:11)3When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.4When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice[2] has not allowed him to live.” (Nm 32:23; Jó 4:7; Am 5:19; Am 9:3; Lc 13:2; Lc 13:4; Jo 9:2; At 28:2)5He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. (Mc 16:18; Lc 10:19)6They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. (At 8:10; At 14:11; At 14:19)7Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.8It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. (Mc 5:23; At 9:40; Tg 5:14)9And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.10They also honored us greatly,[3] and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
Paul Arrives at Rome
11After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods[4] as a figurehead. (At 27:6)12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.13And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.14There we found brothers[5] and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. (Jo 21:23)15And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. (At 28:14; Rm 1:9)16And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. (At 24:23; At 27:3)
Paul in Rome
17After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. (At 6:14; At 15:1; At 21:21; At 25:8)18When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. (At 23:29; At 26:31)19But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. (At 24:17; At 25:11; At 26:4; At 26:32)20For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” (Lc 2:25; At 21:33; At 23:6; At 26:29; Ef 6:20; Fp 1:7; 2 Tm 1:16)21And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. (At 22:5)22But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” (Lc 2:34; At 24:5; 1 Pe 2:12; 1 Pe 3:16; 1 Pe 4:14; 1 Pe 4:16)23When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. (At 8:35; At 17:2; At 19:8; At 24:14; At 26:22; At 28:31)24And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. (At 14:4; At 17:4; At 19:9; At 23:7)25And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: (Mt 15:7)26“‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” (Is 6:9; Mt 13:14; Mc 4:12; Lc 8:10)27For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ (Lc 22:32; Jo 12:40; Rm 11:8)28Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”[6] (Sl 67:2; Is 40:5; Mt 8:11; Mt 21:43; Lc 2:30; Lc 3:6; Jo 10:16; At 13:26; At 13:46; At 13:48; Rm 11:11)30He lived there two whole years at his own expense,[7] and welcomed all who came to him, (Fp 1:13)31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Mt 12:28; Mt 13:19; At 4:29; At 8:12; At 20:25; At 28:23; Fp 1:12; 2 Tm 2:9)