028:015 Meanwhile the brethren there, hearing of our movements, came as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Huts to meet us; and when Paul saw them he thanked God and felt encouraged.
028:016 Upon our arrival in Rome, Paul received permission to live by himself, guarded by a soldier.
028:017 After one complete day he invited the leading men among the Jews to meet him; and, when they were come together, he said to them, "As for me, brethren, although I had done nothing prejudicial to our people or contrary to the customs of our forefathers, I was handed over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the power of the Romans.
028:018 They, after they had sharply questioned me, were willing to setme at liberty, because they found no offence in me for which Ideserve to die.
028:019 But, at last, the opposition of the Jews compelled me to appealto Caesar; not however that I had any charge to bringagainst my nation.
028:020 For these reasons, then, I have invited you here, that Imight see you and speak to you; for it is for the sake of Himwho is the hope of Israel that this chain hangs upon me."
028:021 "For our part," they replied, "we have not received any lettersfrom Judaea about you, nor have any of our countrymen comehere and reported or stated anything to your disadvantage.
028:022 But we should be glad to hear from you what it is thatyou believe; for as for this sect all we know is that itis everywhere spoken against."
028:023 So they arranged a day with him and came to him in considerable numbers at the house of the friends who were entertaining him. And then, with solemn earnestness, he explained to them the subject of the Kingdom of God, endeavouring from morning till evening to convince them about Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
028:024 Some were convinced; others refused to believe.
028:025 Unable to agree among themselves, they at last left him, but not before Paul had spoken a parting word to them, saying, "Right well did the Holy Spirit say to your forefathers through the Prophet Isaiah:
028:026 "`Go to this people and tell them, you will hear and hear, and by no means understand; and will look and look, and by no means see.
028:027 For this people's mind has grown callous, their hearing has become dull, and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes, or hearing with their ears, or understanding with their minds, and turning back, so that I might cure them.'
028:028 "Be fully assured, therefore, that this salvation—God's salvation— has now been sent to the Gentiles, and that they, at any rate, will give heed."
028:029 []
028:030 After this Paul lived for fully two years in a hired houseof his own, receiving all who came to see him.
028:031 He announced the coming of the Kingdom of God, and taughtconcerning the Lord Jesus Christ without let or hindrance.