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- When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
- After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, "Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
- "And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death.
- "But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation.
- "For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel."
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- When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
- Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: "My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
- They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.
- But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar--not that I had any charge to bring against my own people.
- For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."
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- They said to him, "We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you.
- "But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere."
- When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.
- Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.
- And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,
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- They replied, "We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of the brothers who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you.
- But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect."
- They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
- Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.
- They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
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- saying, 'GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, "YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
- FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM."'
- "Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen."
- [When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]
- And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him,
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- " 'Go to this people and say, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving."
- For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'
- "Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!"
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- For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.
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- preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.
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- Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
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