ASV - Acts 28:16-31

¹⁶And when we entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him.

¹⁷And it came to pass, that after three days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans: ¹⁸who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me. ¹⁹But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had aught whereof to accuse my nation. ²⁰For this cause therefore did I entreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. ²¹And they said unto him, We neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of thee. ²²But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.

²³And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening. ²⁴And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. ²⁵And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers, ²⁶saying, Go thou unto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive: ²⁷For this people's heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them. ²⁸Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear. ²⁹And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much disputing among themselves.

³⁰And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him, ³¹preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.