Lent: The Journey of Letting Go

Building Living Bridges

3-Day Bible Plan: How to Truly Love Thy Neighbor in Today’s World

A People Set Apart

Noah: A Covenant With Humanity

Quiet Time Moments for Women

Consider It All Joy

Redeemed: Ruth’s Story of Restoration

The Uniqueness of Jesus

The New Loneliness: Nurturing Connection When You Feel Isolated

New International Version

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         <div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ACT.28.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ACT.28.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. </span></span></div>
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The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

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      <div class="chapter ch28" data-usfm="ACT.28">
         <div class="label">28</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Paul Ashore on Malta</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ACT.28.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ACT.28.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ACT.28.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ACT.28.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, &#8220;This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ACT.28.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ACT.28.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ACT.28.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ACT.28.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ACT.28.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ACT.28.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ACT.28.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Paul&#8217;s Arrival at Rome</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ACT.28.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ACT.28.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island&#8212;it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ACT.28.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ACT.28.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ACT.28.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ACT.28.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ACT.28.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ACT.28.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ACT.28.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: &#8220;My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ACT.28.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ACT.28.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ACT.28.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ACT.28.20"></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="ACT.28.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">They replied, &#8220;We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="ACT.28.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="ACT.28.22"></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="ACT.28.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="ACT.28.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="ACT.28.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: &#8220;The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="ACT.28.25"></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="ACT.28.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;Go to this people and say,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="ACT.28.26"><span class="content">&#8220;You will be ever hearing but never understanding;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="ACT.28.26"><span class="content">you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="ACT.28.26"></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="ACT.28.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">For this people&#8217;s heart has become calloused;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="ACT.28.27"><span class="content">they hardly hear with their ears,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="ACT.28.27"><span class="content">and they have closed their eyes.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="ACT.28.27"><span class="content">Otherwise they might see with their eyes,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="ACT.28.27"><span class="content">hear with their ears,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="ACT.28.27"><span class="content">understand with their hearts</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="ACT.28.27"><span class="content">and turn, and I would heal them.&#8217;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">28:27 </span><span class="ft"><span class="ref" usfm="ISA.6.9">Isaiah 6:9</span>,<span class="ref" usfm="ISA.6.10">10</span> (see Septuagint)</span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="ACT.28.27"></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="ACT.28.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">&#8220;Therefore I want you to know that God&#8217;s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="ACT.28.29"><span class="label">[29]</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">28:29 </span><span class="ft">Some manuscripts include here </span><span class="fqa">After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="ACT.28.29"></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="ACT.28.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="ACT.28.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ&#8212;with all boldness and without hindrance!</span></span></div>
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Day 30: You Are A Game Changer

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