28:17 After three days 14 Paul 15 called the local Jewish leaders 16 together. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers, 17 although I had done 18 nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, 19 from Jerusalem 20 I was handed over as a prisoner to the Romans. 21 28:18 When 22 they had heard my case, 23 they wanted to release me, 24 because there was no basis for a death sentence 25 against me. 28:19 But when the Jews objected, 26 I was forced to appeal to Caesar 27 – not that I had some charge to bring 28 against my own people. 29 28:20 So for this reason I have asked to see you and speak with you, for I am bound with this chain because of the hope of Israel.” 30 28:21 They replied, 31 “We have received no letters from Judea about you, nor have any of the brothers come from there 32 and reported or said anything bad about you. 28:22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, for regarding this sect we know 33 that people 34 everywhere speak against 35 it.”
28:23 They set 36 a day to meet with him, 37 and they came to him where he was staying 38 in even greater numbers. 39 From morning until evening he explained things 40 to them, 41 testifying 42 about the kingdom of God 43 and trying to convince 44 them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets. 28:24 Some were convinced 45 by what he said, 46 but others refused 47 to believe. 28:25 So they began to leave, 48 unable to agree among themselves, after Paul made one last statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly to your ancestors 49 through the prophet Isaiah 28:26 when he said,
‘Go to this people and say,
“You will keep on hearing, 50 but will never understand,
and you will keep on looking, 51 but will never perceive.
28:27 For the heart of this people has become dull, 52
and their ears are hard of hearing, 53
and they have closed their eyes,
so that they would not see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, 54 and I would heal them.”’ 55
28:28 “Therefore be advised 56 that this salvation from God 57 has been sent to the Gentiles; 58 they 59 will listen!”
28:29 [[EMPTY]] 6028:30 Paul 61 lived 62 there two whole years in his own rented quarters 63 and welcomed 64 all who came to him, 28:31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ 65 with complete boldness 66 and without restriction. 67