Acts 28:1-15 : Easy-to-Read Version
28 1When we were safe on land, we learned that the island was called Malta. 2It was raining and very cold. But the people that lived there were very good to us. They made a fire for us and welcomed all of us. 3Paul gathered a pile of sticks for the fire. Paul was putting the sticks on the fire. A poisonous snake came out because of the heat and bit Paul on the hand. 4The people living on the island saw the snake hanging from Paul's hand. They said, "This man must be a murderer! He did not die in the sea, but Justice* does not want him to live." 5But Paul shook the snake off into the fire. Paul was not hurt. 6The people thought that Paul would swell up or fall down dead. The people waited and watched Paul for a long time, but nothing bad happened to him. So the people changed their opinion of Paul. They said, "He is a god!" 7There were some fields around that same area. A very important man on the island owned these fields. His name was Publius. He welcomed us into his home. Publius was very good to us. We stayed in his house for three days. 8Publius' father was very sick. He had a fever and dysentery.* But Paul went to him and prayed for him. Paul put his hands on the man and healed him. 9After this happened, all the other sick people on the island came to Paul. Paul healed them too. 10-11The people on the island gave us many honors. We stayed there three months. When we were ready to leave, the people gave us the things we needed.
Paul Goes to Rome
We got on a ship from the city of Alexandria. The ship had stayed on the island of Malta during the winter. On the front of the ship was the sign for the twin gods.* 12We stopped at the city of Syracuse. We stayed in Syracuse three days and then left. 13We came to the city of Rhegium. The next day a wind began to blow from the southwest, so we were able to leave. A day later we came to the city of Puteoli. 14We found some brothers (believers) there. They asked us to stay with them a week. Finally, we came to Rome. 15The believers in Rome heard that we were there. They came out to meet us at the Market of Appius* and at the Three Inns.* When Paul saw these believers, he felt better. Paul thanked God.
Justice The people thought there was a god named Justice who would punish bad people. dysentery A very bad sickness like diarrhea. twin gods Statues of Castor and Pollux, Greek gods. Market of Appius A town about 27 miles from Rome. Three Inns A town about 30 miles from Rome.