Acts 28:16-20, 30-31
16And when we had arrived at Rome, Paul was given permission to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him. 17And after the third day, he called together the leaders of the Jews. And when they had convened, he said to them: “Noble brothers, I have done nothing against the people, nor against the customs of the fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18And after they held a hearing about me, they would have released me, because there was no case for death against me. 19But with the Jews speaking against me, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, though it was not as if I had any kind of accusation against my own nation. 20And so, because of this, I requested to see you and to speak to you. For it is because of the hope of Israel that I am encircled with this chain.” 21But they said to him: “We have not received letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the other new arrivals among the brothers reported or spoken anything evil against you. 22But we are asking to hear your opinions from you, for concerning this sect, we know that it is being spoken against everywhere.” 23And when they had appointed a day for him, very many persons went to him at his guest quarters. And he discoursed, testifying to the kingdom of God, and persuading them about Jesus, using the law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24And some believed the things that he was saying, yet others did not believe. 25And when they could not agree among themselves, they departed, while Paul was speaking this one word: “How well did the Holy Spirit speak to our fathers through the prophet Isaiah, 26saying: ‘Go to this people and say to them: Hearing, you shall hear and not understand, and seeing, you shall see and not perceive. 27For the heart of this people has grown dull, and they have listened with reluctant ears, and they have closed their eyes tightly, lest perhaps they might see with the eyes, and hear with the ears, and understand with the heart, and so be converted, and I would heal them.’ 28Therefore, let it be known to you, that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they shall listen to it.” 29And when he had said these things, the Jews went away from him, though they still had many questions among themselves. 30Then he remained for two whole years in his own rented lodgings. And he received all who went in to him, 31preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which are from the Lord Jesus Christ, with all faithfulness, without prohibition.