Preaching in Rome

¹⁷Three days later, Paul called together the leading men among the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, "Brothers, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was handed over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. ¹⁸After they examined me, they wanted to release me because there was no grounds for a death sentence. ¹⁹But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar — not that I had any charge to bring against my own nation. ²⁰For this reason I asked to see you and speak with you, because it is for the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain." ²¹They replied, "We have not received any letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers who have come here have reported or spoken anything bad about you. ²²But we would like to hear from you what you think, because regarding this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere." ²³So they set a day, and a large number came to him at his lodging. From morning until evening, he explained and testified about the kingdom of God, trying to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. ²⁴Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. ²⁵They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul made one final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through the prophet Isaiah to your ancestors, saying, ²⁶'Go to this people and say: You will keep on hearing but never understand, and you will keep on seeing but never perceive. ²⁷For the heart of this people has grown dull, their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed — lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and turn back, and I should heal them.' ²⁸Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen." ²⁹After he said these things, the Jews departed, having much debate among themselves. ³⁰Paul lived for two whole years in his own rented quarters, and he welcomed everyone who came to him. ³¹He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, and no one hindered him.