Acts Chapter 28
Other Translations
asv (asv) - eBible.org engASV USFM
1
And Paul said, I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people.
2
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees: touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
3
And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.
4
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
5
And there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?
6
And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the castle.
7
And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
8
And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
9
And they were more than forty that made this conspiracy.
10
And they came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.
11
Now therefore do ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you, as though ye would judge of his case more exactly: and we, before he comes near, are ready to slay him.
12
But Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the castle and told Paul.
13
And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him.
14
So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and saith, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and asked me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say to thee.
15
And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, What is it that thou hast to tell me?
16
And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul to-morrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him.
17
Do not thou therefore yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, who have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor to drink till they have slain him: and now are they ready, looking for the promise from thee.
18
So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, Tell no man that thou hast signified these things to me.
19
And he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night:
20
and
21
he bade them provide beasts, that they might set Paul thereon, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
22
And he wrote a letter after this form:
23
Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix, greeting.
24
This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain of them, when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.
25
And desiring to know the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him down unto their council:
26
whom I found to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
27
And when it was shown to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to thee forthwith, charging his accusers also to speak against him before thee.
28
So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
29
But on the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
30
and they, when they came to Cæsarea and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
31
And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia,
darby (darby) - eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext
1
And when we got safe [to land] we then knew that the island was called Melita.
2
But the barbarians shewed us no common kindness; for, having kindled a fire, they took us all in because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.
3
And Paul having gathered a [certain] quantity of sticks together in a bundle and laid [it] on the fire, a viper coming out from the heat seized his hand.
4
And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said to one another, This man is certainly a murderer, whom, [though] saved out of the sea, Nemesis has not allowed to live.
5
He however, having shaken off the beast into the fire, felt no harm.
6
But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down suddenly dead. But when they had expected a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, changing their opinion, they said he was agod.
7
Now in the country surrounding that place were the lands belonging to the chief man of the island, by name Publius, who received us and gave [us] hospitality three days in a very friendly way.
8
And it happened that the father of Publius lay ill of fever and dysentery; to whom Paul entered in, and having prayed and laid his hands on him cured him.
9
But this having taken place, the rest also who had sicknesses in the island came and were healed:
10
who also honoured us with many honours, and on our leaving they made presents to us of what should minister to our wants.
11
And after three months we sailed in a ship which had wintered in the island, an Alexandrian, with [the] Dioscuri for its ensign.
12
And having come to Syracuse we remained three days.
13
Whence, going in a circuitous course, we arrived at Rhegium; and after one day, the wind having changed to south, on the second day we came to Puteoli,
14
where, having found brethren, we were begged to stay with them seven days. And thus we went to Rome.
15
And thence the brethren, having heard about us, came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Tres Tabernae, whom when Paul saw, he thankedGod and took courage.
16
And when we came to Rome, [the centurion delivered up the prisoners to the praetorian prefect, but] Paul was allowed to remain by himself with the soldier who kept him.
17
And it came to pass after three days, that he called together those who were the chief of the Jews; and when they had come together he said to them, Brethren, I having done nothing against the people or the customs of our forefathers, have been delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18
who having examined me were minded to let me go, because there was nothing worthy of death in me.
19
But the Jews speaking against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not as having anything to accuse my nation of.
20
For this cause therefore I have called you to [me] to see and to speak to you; for on account of the hope of Israel I have this chain about me.
21
And they said to him, For our part, we have neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor has any one of the brethren who has arrived reported or said anything evil concerning thee.
22
But we beg to hear of thee what thou thinkest, for as concerning this sect it is known to us that it is everywhere spoken against.
23
And having appointed him a day many came to him to the lodging, to whom he expounded, testifying of the kingdom ofGod, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from early morning to evening.
24
And some were persuaded of the things which were said, but some disbelieved.
25
And being disagreed among themselves they left; Paul having spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Spirit through Esaias the prophet to our fathers,
26
saying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear and not understand, and seeing ye shall see and not perceive.
27
For the heart of this people has become fat, and they hear heavily with their ears, and they have closed their eyes; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
28
Be it known to you therefore, that this salvation ofGod has been sent to the nations; they also will hear [it].
29
[And he having said this, the Jews went away, having great reasoning among themselves.]
30
And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging, and received all who came to him,
31
preaching the kingdom ofGod, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom unhinderedly.
vul1914 (vul1914) - Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)
1
Et cum evasissemus, tunc cognovimus quia Melita insula vocabatur. Barbari vero præstabant non modicam humanitatem nobis.
2
Accensa enim pyra, reficiebant nos omnes propter imbrem, qui imminebat, et frigus.
3
Cum congregasset autem Paulus sarmentorum aliquantam multitudinem, et imposuisset super ignem, vipera a calore cum processisset, invasit manum eius.
4
Ut vero viderunt Barbari pendentem bestiam de manu eius, ad invicem dicebant: Utique homicida est homo hic, qui cum evaserit de mari, ultio non sinit eum vivere.
5
Et ille quidem excutiens bestiam in ignem, nihil mali passus est.
6
At illi existimabant eum in tumorem convertendum, et subito casurum, et mori. Diu autem illis expectantibus, et videntibus nihil mali in eo fieri, convertentes se, dicebant eum esse Deum.
7
In locis autem illis erant prædia principis insulæ, nomine Publii, qui nos suscipiens, triduo benigne exhibuit.
8
Contigit autem, patrem Publii febribus, et dysenteria vexatum iacere. Ad quem Paulus intravit: et cum orasset, et imposuisset ei manus, salvavit eum.
9
Quo facto, omnes qui in insula habebant infirmitates, accedebant, et curabantur:
10
qui etiam multis honoribus nos honoraverunt, et navigantibus imposuerunt quæ necessaria erant.
11
Post menses autem tres navigavimus in navi Alexandrina, quæ in insula hiemaverat, cui erat insigne Castorum.
12
Et cum venissemus Syracusam, mansimus ibi triduo.
13
Inde circumlegentes devenimus Rhegium: et post unum diem flante Austro, secunda die venimus Puteolos;
14
ubi inventis fratribus rogati sumus manere apud eos dies septem: et sic venimus Romam.
15
Et inde cum audissent fratres, occurrerunt nobis usque ad Appii forum, ac tres Tabernas. Quos cum vidisset Paulus, gratias agens Deo, accepit fiduciam.
16
Cum autem venissemus Romam, permissum est Paulo manere sibimet cum custodiente se milite.
17
Post tertium autem diem convocavit primos Iudæorum. Cumque convenissent, dicebat eis: Ego, viri fratres, nihil adversus plebem faciens, aut morem paternum, vinctus ab Ierosolymis traditus sum in manus Romanorum,
18
qui cum interrogationem de me habuissent, voluerunt me dimittere, eo quod nulla esset causa mortis in me.
19
Contradicentibus autem Iudæis, coactus sum appellare Cæsarem, non quasi gentem meam habens aliquid accusare.
20
Propter hanc igitur causam rogavi vos videre, et alloqui. Propter spem enim Israel catena hac circumdatus sum.
21
At illi dixerunt ad eum: Nos neque litteras accepimus de te a Iudæa, neque adveniens aliquis fratrum nunciavit, aut locutus est quid de te malum.
22
Rogamus autem a te audire quæ sentis: nam de secta hac notum est nobis quia ubique ei contradicitur.
23
Cum constituissent autem illi diem, venerunt ad eum in hospitium plurimi, quibus exponebat testificans regnum Dei, suadensque eis de Iesu ex Lege Moysi, et Prophetis a mane usque ad vesperam.
24
Et quidam credebant his, quæ dicebantur: quidam vero non credebant.
25
Cumque invicem non essent consentientes, discedebant dicente Paulo unum verbum: Quia bene Spiritus sanctus locutus est per Isaiam prophetam ad Patres nostros,
26
dicens: Vade ad populum istum, et dic ad eos: Aure audietis, et non intelligetis: et videntes videbitis, et non perspicietis.
27
Incrassatum est enim cor populi huius, et auribus graviter audierunt, et oculos suos compresserunt: ne forte videant oculis, et auribus audiant, et corde intelligant, et convertantur, et sanem eos.
28
Notum ergo sit vobis, quoniam Gentibus missum est hoc salutare Dei, et ipsi audient.
29
Et cum hæc dixisset, exierunt ab eo Iudæi, multam habentes inter se quæstionem.
30
Mansit autem biennio toto in suo conducto: et suscipiebat omnes, qui ingrediebantur ad eum,
31
prædicans regnum Dei, et docens quæ sunt de Domino Iesu Christo cum omni fiducia, sine prohibitione.
web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV
1
When we had escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta.
2
The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present rain and because of the cold.
3
But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4
When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.”
5
However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed.
6
But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7
Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and courteously entertained us for three days.
8
The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.
9
Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came and were cured.
10
They also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.
11
After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose figurehead was “The Twin Brothers.”
12
Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.
13
From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli,
14
where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.
15
From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16
When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
17
After three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18
who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.
19
But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.
20
For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
21
They said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you.
22
But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23
When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.
24
Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25
When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one message: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
26
saying, ‘Go to this people and say, in hearing, you will hear, but will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see, but will in no way perceive.
27
For this people’s heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, then I would heal them.’
28
“Be it known therefore to you that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will listen.”
29
When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.
30
Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who were coming to him,
31
preaching God’s Kingdom and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
wh1881 (wh1881) - Westcott-Hort Greek NT 1881 eBible USFM
1
και διασωθεντες τοτε επεγνωμεν οτι μελιτηνη η νησος καλειται
2
οι τε βαρβαροι παρειχαν ου την τυχουσαν φιλανθρωπιαν ημιν αψαντες γαρ πυραν προσελαβοντο παντας ημας δια τον υετον τον εφεστωτα και δια το ψυχος
3
συστρεψαντος δε του παυλου φρυγανων τι πληθος και επιθεντος επι την πυραν εχιδνα απο της θερμης εξελθουσα καθηψεν της χειρος αυτου
4
ως δε ειδαν οι βαρβαροι κρεμαμενον το θηριον εκ της χειρος αυτου προς αλληλους ελεγον παντως φονευς εστιν ο ανθρωπος ουτος ον διασωθεντα εκ της θαλασσης η δικη ζην ουκ ειασεν
5
ο μεν ουν αποτιναξας το θηριον εις το πυρ επαθεν ουδεν κακον
6
οι δε προσεδοκων αυτον μελλειν πιμπρασθαι η καταπιπτειν αφνω νεκρον επι πολυ δε αυτων προσδοκωντων και θεωρουντων μηδεν ατοπον εις αυτον γινομενον μεταβαλομενοι ελεγον αυτον ειναι θεον
7
εν δε τοις περι τον τοπον εκεινον υπηρχεν χωρια τω πρωτω της νησου ονοματι ποπλιω ος αναδεξαμενος ημας ημερας τρεις φιλοφρονως εξενισεν
8
εγενετο δε τον πατερα του ποπλιου πυρετοις και δυσεντεριω συνεχομενον κατακεισθαι προς ον ο παυλος εισελθων και προσευξαμενος επιθεις τας χειρας αυτω ιασατο αυτον
9
τουτου δε γενομενου [και] οι λοιποι οι εν τη νησω εχοντες ασθενειας προσηρχοντο και εθεραπευοντο
10
οι και πολλαις τιμαις ετιμησαν ημας και αναγομενοις επεθεντο τα προς τας χρειας
11
μετα δε τρεις μηνας ανηχθημεν εν πλοιω παρακεχειμακοτι εν τη νησω αλεξανδρινω παρασημω διοσκουροις
12
και καταχθεντες εις συρακουσας επεμειναμεν ημερας τρεις
13
οθεν περιελοντες κατηντησαμεν εις ρηγιον και μετα μιαν ημεραν επιγενομενου νοτου δευτεραιοι ηλθομεν εις ποτιολους
14
ου ευροντες αδελφους παρεκληθημεν παρ αυτοις επιμειναι ημερας επτα και ουτως εις την ρωμην ηλθαμεν
15
κακειθεν οι αδελφοι ακουσαντες τα περι ημων ηλθαν εις απαντησιν ημιν αχρι αππιου φορου και τριων ταβερνων ους ιδων ο παυλος ευχαριστησας τω θεω ελαβεν θαρσος
16
οτε δε εισηλθαμεν εις ρωμην επετραπη τω παυλω μενειν καθ εαυτον συν τω φυλασσοντι αυτον στρατιωτη
17
εγενετο δε μετα ημερας τρεις συγκαλεσασθαι αυτον τους οντας των ιουδαιων πρωτους συνελθοντων δε αυτων ελεγεν προς αυτους εγω ανδρες αδελφοι ουδεν εναντιον ποιησας τω λαω η τοις εθεσιν τοις πατρωοις δεσμιος εξ ιεροσολυμων παρεδοθην εις τας χειρας των ρωμαιων
18
οιτινες ανακριναντες με εβουλοντο απολυσαι δια το μηδεμιαν αιτιαν θανατου υπαρχειν εν εμοι
19
αντιλεγοντων δε των ιουδαιων ηναγκασθην επικαλεσασθαι καισαρα ουχ ως του εθνους μου εχων τι κατηγορειν
20
δια ταυτην ουν την αιτιαν παρεκαλεσα υμας ιδειν και προσλαλησαι εινεκεν γαρ της ελπιδος του ισραηλ την αλυσιν ταυτην περικειμαι
21
οι δε προς αυτον ειπαν ημεις ουτε γραμματα περι σου εδεξαμεθα απο της ιουδαιας ουτε παραγενομενος τις των αδελφων απηγγειλεν η ελαλησεν τι περι σου πονηρον
22
αξιουμεν δε παρα σου ακουσαι α φρονεις περι μεν γαρ της αιρεσεως ταυτης γνωστον ημιν εστιν οτι πανταχου αντιλεγεται
23
ταξαμενοι δε αυτω ημεραν ηλθαν προς αυτον εις την ξενιαν πλειονες οις εξετιθετο διαμαρτυρομενος την βασιλειαν του θεου πειθων τε αυτους περι του ιησου απο τε του νομου μωυσεως και των προφητων απο πρωι εως εσπερας
24
και οι μεν επειθοντο τοις λεγομενοις οι δε ηπιστουν
25
ασυμφωνοι δε οντες προς αλληλους απελυοντο ειποντος του παυλου ρημα εν οτι καλως το πνευμα το αγιον ελαλησεν δια ησαιου του προφητου προς τους πατερας υμων
26
λεγων πορευθητι προς τον λαον τουτον και ειπον ακοη ακουσετε και ου μη συνητε και βλεποντες βλεψετε και ου μη ιδητε
27
επαχυνθη γαρ η καρδια του λαου τουτου και τοις ωσιν βαρεως ηκουσαν και τους οφθαλμους αυτων εκαμμυσαν μηποτε ιδωσιν τοις οφθαλμοις και τοις ωσιν ακουσωσιν και τη καρδια συνωσιν και επιστρεψωσιν και ιασομαι αυτους
28
γνωστον ουν υμιν εστω οτι τοις εθνεσιν απεσταλη τουτο το σωτηριον του θεου αυτοι και ακουσονται
30
ενεμεινεν δε διετιαν ολην εν ιδιω μισθωματι και απεδεχετο παντας τους εισπορευομενους προς αυτον
31
κηρυσσων την βασιλειαν του θεου και διδασκων τα περι του κυριου ιησου χριστου μετα πασης παρρησιας ακωλυτως
ylt (ylt) - Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8
1
And having been saved, then they knew that the island is called Melita,
2
and the foreigners were shewing us no ordinary kindness, for having kindled a fire, they received us all, because of the pressing rain, and because of the cold;
3
but Paul having gathered together a quantity of sticks, and having laid <FI>them<Fi> upon the fire, a viper--out of the heat having come--did fasten on his hand.
4
And when the foreigners saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said unto one another, `Certainly this man is a murderer, whom, having been saved out of the sea, the justice did not suffer to live;'
5
he then, indeed, having shaken off the beast into the fire, suffered no evil,
6
and they were expecting him to be about to be inflamed, or to fall down suddenly dead, and they, expecting <FI>it<Fi> a long time, and seeing nothing uncommon happening to him, changing <FI>their<Fi> minds, said he was a god.
7
And in the neighbourhood of that place were lands of the principal man of the island, by name Publius, who, having received us, three days did courteously lodge <FI>us<Fi> ;
8
and it came to pass, the father of Publius with feverish heats and dysentery pressed, was laid, unto whom Paul having entered, and having prayed, having laid <FI>his<Fi> hands on him, healed him;
9
this, therefore, being done, the others also in the island having infirmities were coming and were healed;
10
who also with many honours did honour us, and we setting sail--they were lading <FI>us<Fi> with the things that were necessary.
11
And after three months, we set sail in a ship (that had wintered in the isle) of Alexandria, with the sign Dioscuri,
12
and having landed at Syracuse, we remained three days,
13
thence having gone round, we came to Rhegium, and after one day, a south wind having sprung up, the second <FI>day<Fi> we came to Puteoli;
14
where, having found brethren, we were called upon to remain with them seven days, and thus to Rome we came;
15
and thence, the brethren having heard the things concerning us, came forth to meet us, unto Appii Forum, and Three Taverns--whom Paul having seen, having given thanks to God, took courage.
16
And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered up the prisoners to the captain of the barrack, but Paul was suffered to remain by himself, with the soldier guarding him.
17
And it came to pass after three days, Paul called together those who are the principal men of the Jews, and they having come together, he said unto them: `Men, brethren, I--having done nothing contrary to the people, or to the customs of the fathers--a prisoner from Jerusalem, was delivered up to the hands of the Romans;
18
who, having examined me, were wishing to release <FI>me<Fi> , because of their being no cause of death in me,
19
and the Jews having spoken against <FI>it<Fi> , I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar--not as having anything to accuse my nation of;
20
for this cause, therefore, I called for you to see and to speak with <FI>you<Fi> , for because of the hope of Israel with this chain I am bound.'
21
And they said unto him, `We did neither receive letters concerning thee from Judea, nor did any one who came of the brethren declare or speak any evil concerning thee,
22
and we think it good from thee to hear what thou dost think, for, indeed, concerning this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against;'
23
and having appointed him a day, they came, more of them unto him, to the lodging, to whom he was expounding, testifying fully the reign of God, persuading them also of the things concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses, and the prophets, from morning till evening,
24
and, some, indeed, were believing the things spoken, and some were not believing.
25
And not being agreed with one another, they were going away, Paul having spoken one word--`Well did the Holy Spirit speak through Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers,
26
saying, Go on unto this people and say, With hearing ye shall hear, and ye shall not understand, and seeing ye shall see, and ye shall not perceive,
27
for made gross was the heart of this people, and with the ears they heard heavily, and their eyes they did close, lest they may see with the eyes, and with the heart may understand, and be turned back, and I may heal them.
28
`Be it known, therefore, to you, that to the nations was sent the salvation of God, these also will hear it;'
29
and he having said these things, the Jews went away, having much disputation among themselves;
30
and Paul remained an entire two years in his own hired <FI>house<Fi> , and was receiving all those coming in unto him,
31
preaching the reign of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness--unforbidden.
Explanations by Age Level
Explain Like I'm 5
A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!
Explain Like I'm 10
Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.
Explain Like I'm 15
Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).