Maksutov wrote:Interesting. All of these private conversations, supposed details about number of conspirators, etc. that could not be known by the writer without a forensic investigation raise the red flags of fiction for me.
The truth is stranger than fiction. And obviously the writer knew Paul.
Yeah, like Paul knew Jesus--through his imagination.
LittleNipper wrote:The truth is stranger than fiction. And obviously the writer knew Paul.
Yeah, like Paul knew Jesus--through his imagination.
I know Jesus through the leading of the Holy Spirit in understanding (His inerrant Word) the Bible. Jesus selected Saul/Paul it seems because of his fervor. He was seemingly not a hypocrite in that fervor.
3 days after Festus had entered the province, he journeyed up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
There the head priest and the Jewish leaders informed him of the case against Paul, and they asked him
to do them the favor of having the man returned to Jerusalem. (They had plotted to have him ambushed and killed en route.)
Festus replied that Paul was being kept under guard in Caesarea, and that he was about to go there shortly himself.
“So,” he said, “let competent men among you come along with me and press charges against the man, if he has done something wrong.”
After staying with them approximately 8 to 10 days, Festus went down to Caesarea; and the next day, he took his seat in court and ordered Paul to be brought in.
When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about him, bringing many serious charges against him which they could not prove.
In response, Paul said, “I have committed no offense against the Law to which the Jews hold, the Temple, nor the Emperor.”
But Festus, desiring to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul, “Would you be willing to return to Jerusalem and be tried before me there on these charges?”
Paul replied, “I am standing right now in the Emperor's court, and this is where I should be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jewss, as you very well know.
If I am a wrongdoer, if I have done something for which I deserve to die, then I am ready to die. But if there is nothing to these charges which they are bringing against me, no one can give me to them just to grant a favor! I appeal to the Emperor!”
Festus, upon talking with his advisers, answered, “You have appealed to the Emperor; you will go to the Emperor!”
After some days, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.
Since they were staying on there for some time, Festus had the opportunity to acquaint the king with Paul’s situation. “There is a man here,” he said, “who was left behind in custody by Felix.
When I was in Jerusalem, the head priest and the elders of the Jews informed me about him and asked me to pronounce judgment against him.
My answer to them was that it is not the custom with Romans to give up an accused man just to grant a favor, before he has met his accusers face to face and had the opportunity to defend himself against the charge.
Whereupon their arrivial here with me, I did not delay, but took my seat in court the next day and ordered the man brought in.
“When the accusers stood up, instead of charging him with some serious crime as I had expected,
they disputed with him about certain doctrines of their own religion, and particularly about somebody named Jesus, who had died, but who Paul claimed was alive.
Being at a loss as to how to investigate such questions, I asked him if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried on these matters there.
But since Paul appealed to be kept in custody and have his case decided by His Imperial Majesty, I ordered him held until I could send him to the Emperor.”
Agrippa said to Festus, “I myself have been wanting to hear the man.” “Tomorrow,” Festus replied, “You will hear him.”
So the following day, Agrippa and Bernice came with a lot of festivities; they entered the audience room accompanied by military commanders and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was retrieved.
Festus said, “King Agrippa and all of you present with us --- observe this man... The whole Judean community has complained to me concerning him both in Jerusalem and here, crying that he shouldn’t be allowed to remain alive.
However, I discovered that he had done nothing that deserves a death sentence. Now when he himself appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.
However, I have nothing specific to write to His Majesty concerning him. This is why I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa — so that after we have examined him, I might have something to write.
It appears irrational to me to send a prisoner without also indicating what the charges are against him.”
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
1 Festus, therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea,
2 and the chief priest and the principal men of the Jews made manifest to him [the things] against Paul, and were calling on him,
3 asking favour against him, that he may send for him to Jerusalem, making an ambush to put him to death in the way.
4 Then, indeed, Festus answered that Paul is kept in Caesarea, and himself is about speedily to go on thither,
5 `Therefore those able among you -- saith he -- having come down together, if there be anything in this man -- let them accuse him;'
6 and having tarried among them more than ten days, having gone down to Caesarea, on the morrow having sat upon the tribunal, he commanded Paul to be brought;
7 and he having come, there stood round about the Jews who have come down from Jerusalem -- many and weighty charges they are bringing against Paul, which they were not able to prove,
8 he making defence -- `Neither in regard to the law of the Jews, nor in regard to the temple, nor in regard to Caesar -- did I commit any sin.'
9 And Festus willing to lay on the Jews a favour, answering Paul, said, `Art thou willing, to Jerusalem having gone up, there concerning these things to be judged before me?'
10 and Paul said, `At the tribunal of Caesar I am standing, where it behoveth me to be judged; to Jews I did no unrighteousness, as thou dost also very well know;
11 for if indeed I am unrighteous, and anything worthy of death have done, I deprecate not to die; and if there is none of the things of which these accuse me, no one is able to make a favour of me to them; to Caesar I appeal!'
12 then Festus, having communed with the council, answered, `To Caesar thou hast appealed; to Caesar thou shalt go.'
13 And certain days having passed, Agrippa the king, and Bernice, came down to Caesarea saluting Festus,
14 and as they were continuing there more days, Festus submitted to the king the things concerning Paul, saying, `There is a certain man, left by Felix, a prisoner,
15 about whom, in my being at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid information, asking a decision against him,
16 unto whom I answered, that it is not a custom of Romans to make a favour of any man to die, before that he who is accused may have the accusers face to face, and may receive place of defence in regard to the charge laid against [him].
17 `They, therefore, having come together -- I, making no delay, on the succeeding [day] having sat upon the tribunal, did command the man to be brought,
18 concerning whom the accusers, having stood up, were bringing against [him] no accusation of the things I was thinking of,
19 but certain questions concerning their own religion they had against him, and concerning a certain Jesus who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive;
20 and I, doubting in regard to the question concerning this, said, If he would wish to go on to Jerusalem, and there to be judged concerning these things --
21 but Paul having appealed to be kept to the hearing of Sebastus, I did command him to be kept till I might send him unto Caesar.'
22 And Agrippa said unto Festus, `I was wishing also myself to hear the man;' and he said, `To-morrow thou shalt hear him;'
23 on the morrow, therefore -- on the coming of Agrippa and Bernice with much display, and they having entered into the audience chamber, with the chief captains also, and the principal men of the city, and Festus having ordered -- Paul was brought forth.
24 And Festus said, `King Agrippa, and all men who are present with us, ye see this one, about whom all the multitude of the Jews did deal with me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying out, He ought not to live any longer;
25 and I, having found him to have done nothing worthy of death, and he also himself having appealed to Sebastus, I decided to send him,
26 concerning whom I have no certain thing to write to [my] lord, wherefore I brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that the examination having been made, I may have something to write;
27 for it doth seem to me irrational, sending a prisoner, not also to signify the charges against him.'
Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak on your own behalf.” Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense:
“King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that it is before you today that I am defending myself against all the charges made against me by Jews,
because you are so well informed about all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.
“So then! All Jews know how I lived my life from my youth on, both in my own country and in Jerusalem.
They have known me for a long time; and if they are willing, they can testify that I have followed the strictest party in our religion — that is, I have lived as a Pharisee.
How ironic it is that I stand on trial here because of my hope in the promise made to our ancestors!
It is the fulfillment of this very promise that our 12 tribes hope to reach, as they resolve to carry on their acts of worship night and day; yet it is in connection with this hope, your Majesty, that I am being accused by Jews!
Why do you people consider it absurd that God raises the dead?
“I used to think it was my duty to do all I could to combat the name of Jesus from Nazareth;
and in Jerusalem I did so. After receiving authority from the head priest, I myself threw many of God’s people into prison; when they were executed, I cast my vote against them.
Often I went from one synagogue to another, punishing them and trying to make them blaspheme; and in my wild fury against them, I even went so far as to persecute them in cities outside the country.
“On one such occasion, I was traveling to Damascus with the full authority and power of the head priest.
I was on the road, and it was noon, your Majesty, when I saw a light from heaven, more brilliant than the sun, shining about me and my traveling companions.
We all fell to the ground; and then I heard a voice saying to me, in Hebrew, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you continue persecuting Me? It’s hard on you to be kicking against the ox-goads!’
I said, ‘Who are you, sir?’ and the Lord answered, ‘I am Jesus, and you are persecuting me!
But get up, and stand on your feet! I have appeared to you to appoint you to serve and bear witness to what you have already observed of me, and to what you will see when I appear to you in the future.
I will deliver you from the People and from the Gentiles. I am sending you
to open their eyes; so that they will turn from darkness to light, from the power of the Adversary to God, and so receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who have been separated for holiness by putting their trust in Me.’
“So, King Agrippa, I did not disregard the vision from heaven!
On the contrary, I announced first in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should turn from their sins to God and then do deeds consistent with that repentance.
It was because of these things that Jews grabbed me in the Temple and tried to murder me.
However, I have had God’s help; so to this day, I stand testifying to both small and great, saying nothing but what both the prophets and Moses explained would occur —
that the Messiah would die, and that He, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to both the People and the Goyim.”
But just as he reached this point in his defense, Festus shouted at the top of his voice, "Paul, you’re out of your mind! So much learning is making you crazy!”
But Paul said, “No, I'm not ‘crazy,’ Festus, your Excellency; quite the contrary, I am speaking words of truth and sanity.
For the king understands these matters, so to him I express myself openly, because I am sure that none of these things have been hidden from him. After all, they didn’t happen in some back alley.
King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe!”
Agrippa replied to Paul, “In short time, you’re convincing me to become Messianic?”
Paul replied, “Whether it takes a short time or a long time, I wish to God that not only you, but also everyone listening to me today, might become just like me except for these chains!”
Then the king stood up, and with him the governor and Bernice and the others sitting with them.
After they had left, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing that deserves either death or prison.”
And Agrippa said to Festus, “If he hadn’t appealed to the Emperor, he might have been released.”
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
1 And Agrippa said unto Paul, `It is permitted to thee to speak for thyself;' then Paul having stretched forth the hand, was making a defence:
2 `Concerning all things of which I am accused by Jews, king Agrippa, I have thought myself happy, being about to make a defence before thee to-day,
3 especially knowing thee to be acquainted with all things -- both customs and questions -- among Jews; wherefore, I beseech thee, patiently to hear me.
4 `The manner of my life then, indeed, from youth -- which from the beginning was among my nation, in Jerusalem -- know do all the Jews,
5 knowing me before from the first, (if they may be willing to testify,) that after the most exact sect of our worship, I lived a Pharisee;
6 and now for the hope of the promise made to the fathers by God, I have stood judged,
7 to which our twelve tribes, intently night and day serving, do hope to come, concerning which hope I am accused, king Agrippa, by the Jews;
8 why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead?
9 `I, indeed, therefore, thought with myself, that against the name of Jesus of Nazareth it behoved [me] many things to do,
10 which also I did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I in prison did shut up, from the chief priests having received the authority; they also being put to death, I gave my vote against them,
11 and in every synagogue, often punishing them, I was constraining [them] to speak evil, being also exceedingly mad against them, I was also persecuting [them] even unto strange cities.
12 `In which things, also, going on to Damascus -- with authority and commission from the chief priests --
13 at mid-day, I saw in the way, O king, out of heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me a light -- and those going on with me;
14 and we all having fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew dialect, Saul, Saul, why me dost thou persecute? hard for thee against pricks to kick!
15 `And I said, Who art thou, Lord? and he said, I am Jesus whom thou dost persecute;
16 but rise, and stand upon thy feet, for for this I appeared to thee, to appoint thee an officer and a witness both of the things thou didst see, and of the things [in which] I will appear to thee,
17 delivering thee from the people, and the nations, to whom now I send thee,
18 to open their eyes, to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the authority of the Adversary unto God, for their receiving forgiveness of sins, and a lot among those having been sanctified, by faith that [is] toward me.
19 `Whereupon, king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
20 but to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem, to all the region also of Judea, and to the nations, I was preaching to reform, and to turn back unto God, doing works worthy of reformation;
21 because of these things the Jews -- having caught me in the temple -- were endeavouring to kill [me].
22 `Having obtained, therefore, help from God, till this day, I have stood witnessing both to small and to great, saying nothing besides the things that both the prophets and Moses spake of as about to come,
23 that the Christ is to suffer, whether first by a rising from the dead, he is about to proclaim light to the people and to the nations.'
24 And, he thus making a defence, Festus with a loud voice said, `Thou art mad, Paul; much learning doth turn thee mad;'
25 and he saith, `I am not mad, most noble Festus, but of truth and soberness the sayings I speak forth;
26 for the king doth know concerning these things, before whom also I speak boldly, for none of these things, I am persuaded, are hidden from him; for this thing hath not been done in a corner;
27 thou dost believe, king Agrippa, the prophets? I have known that thou dost believe!'
28 And Agrippa said unto Paul, `In a little thou dost persuade me to become a Christian!'
29 and Paul said, `I would have wished to God, both in a little, and in much, not only thee, but also all those hearing me to-day, to become such as I also am -- except these bonds.'
30 And, he having spoken these things, the king rose up, and the governor, Bernice also, and those sitting with them,
31 and having withdrawn, they were speaking unto one another, saying -- `This man doth nothing worthy of death or of bonds;'
32 and Agrippa said to Festus, `This man might have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.'
My goodness, such a long and detailed monologue by Paul, complete with his hand gestures! How fortunate that there was a scribe who could keep up with all of that...or make it up when needed.
Maksutov wrote:My goodness, such a long and detailed monologue by Paul, complete with his hand gestures! How fortunate that there was a scribe who could keep up with all of that...or make it up when needed.
I'm sure that there were witnesses to the event who at some point in their lives became believers -- be they slaves, attendants, pharisees, sadducees, soldiers, etc... And you must understand that Paul himself eventually went to Rome! He was a man of letters...
Once it had been decided that we were sailing for Italy, they handed Paul and some other prisoners over to an officer of the Emperor’s Regiment named Julius.
We embarked in a ship from Adramyttium which was about to sail to various ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and put out to sea, accompanied by a Macedonian named embarked from Thessalonica.
The next day, we landed at Sidon; and Julius considerately allowed Paul to go visit his friends and receive what he needed.
Heading to sea from there, we sailed close to the sheltered side of Cyprus because the winds contrary,
then across the open sea along the coasts of Cilicia and Pamphylia; and so we reached Myra in Lycia.
There the Roman officer found an Alexandrian vessel sailing to Italy and put us aboard.
For a number of days we made little headway, and we arrived off Cnidus with some difficulty. The wind would not let us continue any farther along the direct route; so we ran down along the sheltered side of Crete from Cape Salmone;
and, continuing to struggle, hugging the coast, we reached a place called Fair Haven, near the community of Lasaea.
Since much time was lost, and continuing the voyage was risky, because it was already past Yom-Kippur, Paul advised them,
“Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be a disaster, not only with huge losses to the cargo and the ship but with loss of our lives as well.”
Unfortunately, the officer paid more attention to the pilot and the ship’s owner than to Saul's advise.
Moreover, since the harbor was not well suited to sitting out the winter, the majority reached the decision to sail on from there in the hope of reaching Phenice, another harbor of Crete, and wintering there, where it is sheltered from the southwest and northwest winds.
When a gentle southerly breeze began to blow, they thought that they had their goal within grasp; so they raised the anchor and started coasting by Crete close to shore.
But soon there struck us from land a full gale from the northeast, the kind they call an Euroclydon.
The ship was caught up and unable to head into the wind, so we gave way to it and were driven along.
As we passed into the protection of a small island called Clauda, we managed with tiring effort to get control of the lifeboat.
They hoisted it aboard, then fastened cables tightly around the ship itself to reinforce it. Fearing they might run aground on the sandbars, they lowered the sails and thus continued drifting.
But because we were fighting such heavy weather, the next day they began to dump non-essentials;
and the 3rd day, they threw the ship’s sailing equipment overboard with their own hands.
For many days neither the sun nor the stars appeared, while the storm continued to rage, until gradually all hope of survival vanished.
It was then, when they had gone a long time without eating, that Paul stood up in front of them and said, “You should have listened to me and not set out from Crete; if you had, you would have escaped this disastrous loss.
But now, my advice to you is to take heart; because not one of you will lose his life — only the ship will be lost.
For this very night, there stood next to me a messenger from God to whom I belong and serve.
The angel said, ‘Have no fear, Paul! you have to stand before the Emperor. Look! God has handed to you all those who are sailing with you.’
So, men, be brave! For I trust God and believe that what I have been told will happen.
Nevertheless, we have to run aground on some island.”
It was the 14th night, and we were still being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed that we were nearing land.
So they dropped a plumb line and found the water 120 feet deep. A little farther on, they took another sounding and found it 90 feet.
Fearing we might hit the rocks, they let out four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight to come.
At this point, the crew attempted to abandon ship — they lowered the lifeboat into the sea, pretending that they were about to let out some anchors from the bow.
Paul warned the officer and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain aboard the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.”
Then the soldiers cut the ropes holding the lifeboat and set it adrift.
Just before daybreak, Paul urged them all to eat, saying, “Today is the 14th day you have been in suspense, going hungry, eating nothing.
Therefore I advise you to eat; you need it for your own survival. For not one of you will lose so much as a hair from his head.”
When he had said this, he took bread, gave thanks to God in front of everyone, broke it and began to eat.
With courage restored, they all ate some food themselves.
Altogether there were 276 of us aboard the ship.
After they had eaten all they wanted, they lightened the ship by dumping the grain into the sea.
When day broke, they didn’t recognize the land; but they noticed a bay with a sand beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could.
So they cut away the anchors and left them in the sea; at the same time, they loosened the ropes that held the rudders out of the water. Then they hoisted the sail to the wind and headed for the beach.
But they encountered a place where two currents meet, and ran the vessel aground on the sandbar there. The bow stuck and would not move, while the pounding of the surf began to break up the stern.
At this point the soldiers’ imagined killing the prisoners, so that none of them would swim off and escape.
But the officer, wanting to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to throw themselves overboard first and head for shore,
and the rest to use planks or whatever they could find from the ship. Thus it was that everyone reached land safely.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
1 And when our sailing to Italy was determined, they were delivering up both Paul and certain others, prisoners, to a centurion, by name Julius, of the band of Sebastus,
2 and having embarked in a ship of Adramyttium, we, being about to sail by the coasts of Asia, did set sail, there being with us Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica,
3 on the next [day] also we touched at Sidon, and Julius, courteously treating Paul, did permit [him], having gone on unto friends, to receive [their] care.
4 And thence, having set sail, we sailed under Cyprus, because of the winds being contrary,
5 and having sailed over the sea over-against Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myria of Lycia,
6 and there the centurion having found a ship of Alexandria, sailing to Italy, did put us into it,
7 and having sailed slowly many days, and with difficulty coming over-against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over-against Salmone,
8 and hardly passing it, we came to a certain place called `Fair Havens,' nigh to which was the city [of] Lasaea.
9 And much time being spent, and the sailing being now dangerous -- because of the fast also being already past -- Paul was admonishing,
10 saying to them, `Men, I perceive that with hurt, and much damage, not only of the lading and of the ship, but also of our lives -- the voyage is about to be;'
11 but the centurion to the pilot and to the shipowner gave credence more than to the things spoken by Paul;
12 and the haven being incommodious to winter in, the more part gave counsel to sail thence also, if by any means they might be able, having attained to Phenice, [there] to winter, [which is] a haven of Crete, looking to the south-west and north-west,
13 and a south wind blowing softly, having thought they had obtained [their] purpose, having lifted anchor, they sailed close by Crete,
14 and not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, that is called Euroclydon,
15 and the ship being caught, and not being able to bear up against the wind, having given [her] up, we were borne on,
16 and having run under a certain little isle, called Clauda, we were hardly able to become masters of the boat,
17 which having taken up, they were using helps, undergirding the ship, and fearing lest they may fall on the quicksand, having let down the mast -- so were borne on.
18 And we, being exceedingly tempest-tossed, the succeeding [day] they were making a clearing,
19 and on the third [day] with our own hands the tackling of the ship we cast out,
20 and neither sun nor stars appearing for more days, and not a little tempest lying upon us, thenceforth all hope was taken away of our being saved.
21 And there having been long fasting, then Paul having stood in the midst of them, said, `It behoved [you], indeed, O men -- having hearkened to me -- not to set sail from Crete, and to save this hurt and damage;
22 and now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there shall be no loss of life among you -- but of the ship;
23 for there stood by me this night a messenger of God -- whose I am, and whom I serve --
24 saying, Be not afraid Paul; before Caesar it behoveth thee to stand; and, lo, God hath granted to thee all those sailing with thee;
25 wherefore be of good cheer, men! for I believe God, that so it shall be, even as it hath been spoken to me,
26 and on a certain island it behoveth us to be cast.'
27 And when the fourteenth night came -- we being borne up and down in the Adria -- toward the middle of the night the sailors were supposing that some country drew nigh to them;
28 and having sounded they found twenty fathoms, and having gone a little farther, and again having sounded, they found fifteen fathoms,
29 and fearing lest on rough places we may fall, out of the stern having cast four anchors, they were wishing day to come.
30 And the sailors seeking to flee out of the ship, and having let down the boat to the sea, in pretence as [if] out of the foreship they are about to cast anchors,
31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, `If these do not remain in the ship -- ye are not able to be saved;'
32 then the soldiers did cut off the ropes of the boat, and suffered it to fall off.
33 And till the day was about to be, Paul was calling upon all to partake of nourishment, saying, `Fourteen days to-day, waiting, ye continue fasting, having taken nothing,
34 wherefore I call upon you to take nourishment, for this is for your safety, for of not one of you shall a hair from the head fall;'
35 and having said these things, and having taken bread, he gave thanks to God before all, and having broken [it], he began to eat;
36 and all having become of good cheer, themselves also took food,
37 (and we were -- all the souls in the ship -- two hundred, seventy and six),
38 and having eaten sufficient nourishment, they were lightning the ship, casting forth the wheat into the sea.
39 And when the day came, they were not discerning the land, but a certain creek were perceiving having a beach, into which they took counsel, if possible, to thrust forward the ship,
40 and the anchors having taken up, they were committing [it] to the sea, at the same time -- having loosed the bands of the rudders, and having hoisted up the mainsail to the wind -- they were making for the shore,
41 and having fallen into a place of two seas, they ran the ship aground, and the fore-part, indeed, having stuck fast, did remain immoveable, but the hinder-part was broken by the violence of the waves.
42 And the soldiers' counsel was that they should kill the prisoners, lest any one having swam out should escape,
43 but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, hindered them from the counsel, and did command those able to swim, having cast themselves out first -- to get unto the land,
44 and the rest, some indeed upon boards, and some upon certain things of the ship; and thus it came to pass that all came safe unto the land.
With our survival, we learned that the island was Malta.
Its inhabitants showed extraordinary kindness. it was cold and rainy, so they lit a bonfire and welcomed us all.
Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and was adding them to the fire, when a poisonous snake, routed by the heat, bit his hand.
The islanders witnessing this creature hanging from Paul’s hand said to one another, “This man must be a murderer. Even though he escaped the sea, justice has not allowed him to survive.”
However, Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm.
They waited, expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing that nothing happening to him, they reversed their opinion and considered him a god.
Nearby were lands belonging to the head of the island, whose name was Publius. He received us in a friendly manner and put us up 3 days.
Now it so happened that Publius’ father was sick in bed with fever attacks and dysentery. Paul went in to him, prayed, placed his hands on him and healed him.
After this occurred, the rest of those on the island who had sicknesses came and were healed.
They honored us; and when the time arrived for us to sail, they provided the supplies we needed.
After 3 months, we sailed away on a ship from Alexandria called “Twin Gods,” which had wintered at the island.
We landed at Syracuse and remained 3 days.
From there, we arrived at Rhegium --- tacking; but after 1 day, a south wind sprang up; so we made it to Puteoli the 2nd day.
There we found brethren who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we continued toward Rome.
The brethren there had heard about us and came as far as Appii Market and Three Inns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and was encouraged.
And when we reached Rome, the officer allowed Paul to stay by himself, though guarded by a soldier.
After 3 days Paul convened a meeting of the local Jewish leaders. When they gathered, he said to them: “Brothers, although I have done nothing against either our people or the traditions of our fathers, I was imprisoned in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
They examined me and were ready to release me, because I had done nothing to justify a death sentence.
But since the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to the Emperor — not that I had any charge to make against my own people.
This is why I have asked to see you and speak with you, for it is because of the hope of Israel that I have this chain around me.”
They said to him, “We have not received any letters about you from Judah, and none of the brothers who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you.
But we do think it would be appropriate to hear your views from you, yourself; since we know this sect is one that people everywhere speak against.”
So they arranged a day with Paul and came to his quarters in large numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, giving a thorough witness about the Kingdom of God and making use of both the Law of Moses and the Prophets to persuade them regarding Jesus.
Some were convinced by what he said.
Others refused to believe. So they all left, disagreeing among themselves, after Paul made one final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke correctly in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet,
‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on listening but never understand, and you will keep on observing but never perceive,
because the heart of this people has grown heard — with their ears they barely hear, and their eyes they have shut, for fear that they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and repent, so that I could heal them.”’
Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
Paul remained 2 full years in a place he rented for himself; and he continued receiving everyone who came to visit him,
openly and without hindrance proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus the Messiah.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
1 And having been saved, then they knew that the island is called Melita,
2 and the foreigners were shewing us no ordinary kindness, for having kindled a fire, they received us all, because of the pressing rain, and because of the cold;
3 but Paul having gathered together a quantity of sticks, and having laid [them] upon the fire, a viper -- out of the heat having come -- did fasten on his hand.
4 And when the foreigners saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said unto one another, `Certainly this man is a murderer, whom, having been saved out of the sea, the justice did not suffer to live;'
5 he then, indeed, having shaken off the beast into the fire, suffered no evil,
6 and they were expecting him to be about to be inflamed, or to fall down suddenly dead, and they, expecting [it] a long time, and seeing nothing uncommon happening to him, changing [their] minds, said he was a god.
7 And in the neighbourhood of that place were lands of the principal man of the island, by name Publius, who, having received us, three days did courteously lodge [us];
8 and it came to pass, the father of Publius with feverish heats and dysentery pressed, was laid, unto whom Paul having entered, and having prayed, having laid [his] hands on him, healed him;
9 this, therefore, being done, the others also in the island having infirmities were coming and were healed;
10 who also with many honours did honour us, and we setting sail -- they were lading [us] with the things that were necessary.
11 And after three months, we set sail in a ship (that had wintered in the isle) of Alexandria, with the sign Dioscuri,
12 and having landed at Syracuse, we remained three days,
13 thence having gone round, we came to Rhegium, and after one day, a south wind having sprung up, the second [day] we came to Puteoli;
14 where, having found brethren, we were called upon to remain with them seven days, and thus to Rome we came;
15 and thence, the brethren having heard the things concerning us, came forth to meet us, unto Appii Forum, and Three Taverns -- whom Paul having seen, having given thanks to God, took courage.
16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered up the prisoners to the captain of the barrack, but Paul was suffered to remain by himself, with the soldier guarding him.
17 And it came to pass after three days, Paul called together those who are the principal men of the Jews, and they having come together, he said unto them: `Men, brethren, I -- having done nothing contrary to the people, or to the customs of the fathers -- a prisoner from Jerusalem, was delivered up to the hands of the Romans;
18 who, having examined me, were wishing to release [me], because of their being no cause of death in me,
19 and the Jews having spoken against [it], I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar -- not as having anything to accuse my nation of;
20 for this cause, therefore, I called for you to see and to speak with [you], for because of the hope of Israel with this chain I am bound.'
21 And they said unto him, `We did neither receive letters concerning thee from Judea, nor did any one who came of the brethren declare or speak any evil concerning thee,
22 and we think it good from thee to hear what thou dost think, for, indeed, concerning this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against;'
23 and having appointed him a day, they came, more of them unto him, to the lodging, to whom he was expounding, testifying fully the reign of God, persuading them also of the things concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses, and the prophets, from morning till evening,
24 and, some, indeed, were believing the things spoken, and some were not believing.
25 And not being agreed with one another, they were going away, Paul having spoken one word -- `Well did the Holy Spirit speak through Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers,
26 saying, Go on unto this people and say, With hearing ye shall hear, and ye shall not understand, and seeing ye shall see, and ye shall not perceive,
27 for made gross was the heart of this people, and with the ears they heard heavily, and their eyes they did close, lest they may see with the eyes, and with the heart may understand, and be turned back, and I may heal them.
28 `Be it known, therefore, to you, that to the nations was sent the salvation of God, these also will hear it;'
29 and he having said these things, the Jews went away, having much disputation among themselves;
30 and Paul remained an entire two years in his own hired [house], and was receiving all those coming in unto him,
31 preaching the reign of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness -- unforbidden.
From: Paul, a slave of the Messiah Jesus, an apostle since I was called and set apart for the Good Message of God.
God promised this Good Message in advance through his prophets in the Holy texts.
It concerns His SON — descended from David physically.
He was powerfully demonstrated to be God's SON spiritually, set apart by His beening resurrected from the dead; He is Jesus the Messiah, our Lord.
Through Him we received grace and were given the job of being a disciple on His behalf promoting trust based obedience among all the Gentiles,
including you, who have been called by Jesus the Messiah.
To: All those in Rome whom God loves, who were called, who were set apart for Him:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus the Messiah.
First, I thank my God through Jesus the Messiah for everyone of you, because the report of your trust is spreading worldwide.
For God, whom I serve in my spirit by spreading the Good Message of His Son, is my witness that I regularly remember you
in my prayers; and I always pray that somehow, now or in the future, I might, by God’s will, succeed in visiting you.
For I long to see you, so that I might share with you some spiritual gift that can strengthen you —
or, let's say, so that by my being with you, we might, through shared faith, encourage each other.
Brethren, I want you to know that although I have been prevented from visiting you until now, I have often planned to do so, in order that I might gather fruit from among you, just as I have from among other Gentiles.
I owe a debt to both civilized Greeks and barbarians, to both the educated and the ignorant;
therefore I am eager to proclaim the Good Message also to you living in Rome.
For I am not ashamed of the Good Message, since it is God’s powerful means of bringing salvation to everyone who trusts, to the Jew especially, but equally to the Gentile.
For in it is revealed how God makes people righteous in His sight; and from beginning to end it is through trust — as the Holy writing puts it, “But the person who is righteous will live his life by trust.”
What is shown is God’s anger from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people who keep suppressing the truth;
because what is known about God is obvious to them, since God has made it obvious.
For ever since the creation of the universe God's invisible qualities — both His eternal strength and His divine nature — have been clearly seen, because they can be understood from his creation. Therefore, they have no excuse;
Since, although they know who God is, they do not glorify Him as God or thank Him. Quite the contrary, they have become ineffectual in their reasoning; and their undiscerning hearts have become darkened.
Claiming to be wise, they have become fools!
In fact, they have switched the glory of the immortal God for mere imagery, like a mortal human being, birds, animals or reptiles!
This is why God has given them over to the vileness of their hearts’ lusts, to the shameful misuse of each other’s bodies.
They have exchanged the truth of God for lies, by worshipping and serving material things, rather than the Creator — praised be Him eternally. So be it.
This is why God has given them up to humiliating passions; so that their women exchange natural sexual relations for unnatural;
and likewise men, giving up natural relations with the opposite sex, burn with passion for each another, men committing shameful acts with other men and receiving in their own persons the penalty appropriate to their perversion.
In other words, since they have not considered God worth knowing, God has given them up to worthless ways of thinking; so that they do improper things.
They are filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and vice; stuffed with jealousy, murder, quarrelling, dishonesty and ill-will; they are gossips,
slanderers, haters of God; they are insulting, arrogant and boastful; they concoct evil schemes; they disobey their parents;
they are thoughtless, faithless, heartless and ruthless.
They realize well enough God’s righteous decree that people who do such things deserve death; yet not only do they keep doing them, but they applaud others who do the same.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, having been separated to the good news of God --
2 which He announced before through His prophets in holy writings --
3 concerning His Son, (who is come of the seed of David according to the flesh,
4 who is marked out Son of God in power, according to the Spirit of sanctification, by the rising again from the dead,) Jesus Christ our Lord;
5 through whom we did receive grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, in behalf of his name;
6 among whom are also ye, the called of Jesus Christ;
7 to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints; Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ!
8 first, indeed, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed in the whole world;
9 for God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the good news of His Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you,
10 always in my prayers beseeching, if by any means now at length I shall have a prosperous journey, by the will of God, to come unto you,
11 for I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, that ye may be established;
12 and that is, that I may be comforted together among you, through the faith in one another, both yours and mine.
13 And I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, that many times I did purpose to come unto you -- and was hindered till the present time -- that some fruit I might have also among you, even as also among the other nations.
14 Both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to wise and to thoughtless, I am a debtor,
15 so, as much as in me is, I am ready also to you who [are] in Rome to proclaim good news,
16 for I am not ashamed of the good news of the Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to every one who is believing, both to Jew first, and to Greek.
17 For the righteousness of God in it is revealed from faith to faith, according as it hath been written, `And the righteous one by faith shall live,'
18 for revealed is the wrath of God from heaven upon all impiety and unrighteousness of men, holding down the truth in unrighteousness.
19 Because that which is known of God is manifest among them, for God did manifest [it] to them,
20 for the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, by the things made being understood, are plainly seen, both His eternal power and Godhead -- to their being inexcusable;
21 because, having known God they did not glorify [Him] as God, nor gave thanks, but were made vain in their reasonings, and their unintelligent heart was darkened,
22 professing to be wise, they were made fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of fowls, and of quadrupeds, and of reptiles.
24 Wherefore also God did give them up, in the desires of their hearts, to uncleanness, to dishonour their bodies among themselves;
25 who did change the truth of God into a falsehood, and did honour and serve the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed to the ages. Amen.
26 Because of this did God give them up to dishonourable affections, for even their females did change the natural use into that against nature;
27 and in like manner also the males having left the natural use of the female, did burn in their longing toward one another; males with males working shame, and the recompense of their error that was fit, in themselves receiving.
28 And, according as they did not approve of having God in knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mind, to do the things not seemly;
29 having been filled with all unrighteousness, whoredom, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil dispositions; whisperers,
30 evil-speakers, God-haters, insulting, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 unintelligent, faithless, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful;
32 who the righteous judgment of God having known -- that those practising such things are worthy of death -- not only do them, but also have delight with those practising them.
Romans 1:1 identifies the author of the Book of Romans as the apostle Paul. Romans 16:22 indicates that Paul used a man name Tertius to transcribe his words. The Book of Romans was likely written A.D. 56-58. Christ would have been crucified and resurrected approximately some 23 years prior to this letter.
