5. But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and was not hurt.
6. The people thought he would swell up or fall down dead. They waited and watched him for a long time, but nothing bad happened to him. So they changed their opinion. They said, “He is a god!”
7. There were some fields around that same area. They were owned by a man named Publius, the most important Roman official on the island. He welcomed us into his home and was very good to us. We stayed in his house for three days.
8. Publius’ father was very sick. He had a fever and dysentery, but Paul went to him and prayed for him. He laid his hands on the man and healed him.
9. After this happened, all the other sick people on the island came to Paul, and he healed them too.
12. We stopped at the city of Syracuse. We stayed there three days and then left.
13. We 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.
14. We found some believers there, who asked us to stay with them a week. Finally, we came to Rome.
15. The brothers and sisters in Rome heard about us and came out to meet us at the Market of Appius and at the Three Inns. When Paul saw these believers, he thanked God and felt encouraged.
16. When we came to Rome, Paul was allowed to live alone. But a soldier stayed with him to guard him.
17. Three days later Paul sent for some of the most important Jews. When they came together, he said, “My brothers, I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our fathers. But I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
18. They asked me many questions, but they could not find any reason why I should be put to death. So they wanted to let me go free.
19. But the Jews there did not want that. So I had to ask to come to Rome to have my trial before Caesar. That doesn’t mean I am accusing my people of doing anything wrong.