Updates for export and OKRs

Made typical updates in preparation for export and also addressed any issues raised by Morgan.

02 Living/EJ-2.02-Daniel-3.1-30.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: The Furnace
 subtitle: Daniel 3:1-30
-tags: #eschatology #theology 
+tags: 
 scripture: Daniel 3:1-30
 ---
 

04 Community/EJ-4.12-Acts-27.1-28.31.md

@@ -1,233 +1,323 @@
- ---
+---
 title: Outsiders
 subtitle: Acts 27:1-28:31
-tags: 
 scripture: Acts 27:1-28:31
 ---
 
+
 ## Session Overview 
 
 ### Passage Preview
+In Acts 27:1–28:31, we witness a seafaring voyage in which God puts his divine providence on full display. This story builds our confidence in God’s sovereign care as a foundation from which we can care for outsiders. At the beginning of the voyage, Paul was a recipient of hospitality, kindness, care, and protection. When the ship encountered stormy seas and violent winds, Paul became a host aboard the ship. He offered food to the weary and famished sailors and brought encouragement to them as he expressed confidence in God’s promise and presence. Eventually, the ship wrecked, and everyone on the ship made it safely to shore. On the island of Malta, Paul experienced unusual hospitality from the islanders and used this opportunity for missional outreach. After three months, they boarded another ship and headed toward Rome. In this journey, Paul met other believers outside his normal sphere of relationship and found great encouragement from their fellowship. Ultimately, Paul arrived in Rome and was under house arrest. He used his lodging as an outpost of ministry and continued to preach the gospel to those outside the faith.
 
-**Key Idea**:  
+**Key Idea**:  The Christian community of the church sustains and expresses its most vibrant life in hospitality to outsiders.
 
 ### Core Objectives
 In the following session you will...
 
-- **establish** 
+- **establish** foundation beliefs about hospitality to outsiders
 - **compose** a translation of Acts 27:1-28:31 that is clear, accurate, natural, and church approved
-- **mature** 
+- **mature** in the Christian life of faith through the practice of genuine hospitality
 - **develop** basic ministry skills with believers and unbelievers as you check your translation
 
 ### Narrative Summary
+The governor decided to send Paul to Italy by ship, and Luke accompanied him. They placed Paul and other prisoners under the control of a military officer named Julius, who reported to the emperor. They boarded a ship from Adramyttium, sailing along the Asian coast with Aristarchus from Thessalonica. After stops in Sidon and Myra, they transferred to a ship from Alexandria bound for Italy. Strong winds caused slow progress, leading them along the coast of Crete to Fair Havens near Lasea.
+
+The journey from Caesarea to Fair Havens took longer due to unfavorable westward winds. As the stormy season approached, Paul warned the ship's crew that continuing would bring harm. He predicted a great storm that would destroy the ship, cargo, and risk everyone's lives.
+
+However, the Roman officer, influenced by the pilot and captain, didn't believe Paul. Most of the sailors suggested leaving Fair Havens for the safer harbor of Phoenix on Crete, despite only a gentle south wind. They raised the anchor, sailed along Crete's coast, but a fierce Northeast Wind arose, forcing them off course to a sheltered island named Cauda.
+
+After a struggle, the sailors secured the lifeboat and worried about getting stuck in Syrtis' sandy shallows. They lowered the sails to reduce speed, leaving the ship at the mercy of the wind and waves. On the next day, they began throwing overboard cargo and on the third day, they discarded most of the sails, ropes, and poles to lighten the ship. Despite their efforts, the strong winds and constant cloud cover left the crew in despair, unable to navigate by the sun or stars. Survival seemed unlikely.
+
+No one had eaten for days on the ship. Then one day, Paul addressed everyone. He said that his warning should have been heeded not to set sail from Crete to avoid the damage that was now sure to come. He assured everyone not to be afraid, as the storm would wreck the ship but spare the lives of all on board. Paul shared that an angel had visited him the previous night, sent by the God who protected him and instructed him to spread the word. The angel conveyed that everyone would safely reach Rome, and all traveling would survive. Paul encouraged everyone on the ship to be hopeful, as he believed God would fulfill the angel's message. He added that the ship would eventually crash on an island, where we would disembark.
+
+On the fourteenth night of the storm, as the ship still battled the tempest, the sailors sensed land nearby around midnight. They used a weighted rope to measure the depth, initially finding it to be 40 meters deep, later 30 meters. Worried about the shallower waters, the sailors dropped four anchors and prayed for daylight. Some sailors plotted to escape using a lifeboat, pretending to lower anchors from the ship's front. Paul warned the Roman officer and soldiers that if the sailors fled, no one would survive. Consequently, the soldiers cut the ropes, sending the lifeboat into the sea.
+
+Just before dawn, Paul encouraged everyone to eat because they hadn't for 14 days. After he ate, everyone else did too. There were 276 people on the ship. Once they'd eaten, the sailors lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the water. At dawn, they saw land and decided to steer toward a bay with a beach. They cut the anchors, untied the rudders, raised a sail, and aimed for the shore. But the ship got stuck on a sandbank and began to break apart. The soldiers considered killing the prisoners to prevent escape, but the Roman officer wanted to save Paul. He ordered swimmers to jump first, and the non-swimmers to cling to floating debris. Everyone followed the plan and reached the shore safely.
+
+The boat crashed on an island named Malta. The islanders treated everyone kindly and cared for everyone. It was cold and raining. The islanders lit a fire and invited everyone to warm up. 
+
+Paul was gathering wood for the fire when a poisonous snake, trying to escape the heat, bit his hand and clung to it. The islanders saw this and thought Paul might be a murderer who had escaped drowning at sea, and now justice was catching up with him through the snakebite. They expected him to swell up or suddenly die. However, Paul shook his hand, and the snake fell back into the fire, leaving Paul unharmed. The islanders, seeing this, changed their opinion. They now believed Paul couldn't be a murderer; some even thought he might be a god because a regular person would have died from such a snakebite.
+
+The islanders, led by Publius, hosted us and cared for us. Paul healed Publius's sick father, and then others on the island. In gratitude, the islanders brought us gifts and provisions when we prepared to leave on the ship.
+
+Paul, Luke, and the other passengers and prisoners on the boat spent three months on Malta before boarding a ship from Alexandria bound for Italy. The ship had images of the twin gods Castor and Pollux on the front. After a three-day stay in Syracuse, the boat sailed to Rhegium in Italy. With a favorable south wind, the boat reached Puteoli just two days later. There, everyone disembarked and traveled overland to Rome. In Puteoli, some believers invited everyone to stay for seven days before the boat resumed its journey to Rome.
+
+After arriving in Rome, Paul resided in a home with a guard rather than in prison. After three days, he called for Jewish leaders to explain that he had been unjustly accused and imprisoned in connection with his faith in God's promises to the Jews. The leaders hadn't heard negative reports but wanted to know more about his beliefs. On the appointed day, a larger crowd gathered at Paul's house. He spoke about God's universal rule and how the Scriptures predicted Jesus' coming. Paul spoke all day, persuading some and encountering skepticism from others. The two groups argued with each other. Paul then quoted from Isaiah: "Go to the people of Israel and tell them this: 'You hear, but you don't really understand; you see, but you don't truly perceive. Your hearts have grown callous; you've become stubborn, like people with closed ears and blind eyes. You've chosen not to see, hear, or understand. If you did, you'd turn from your sinful ways and find healing.'" Paul added, "Understand this: God is offering salvation to the non-Jews, and many will accept it." After these words, the Jews left, engaging in heated arguments among themselves.
+
+Paul stayed in Rome for two years, renting a house. Many people visited him, and he warmly received them, discussing God's rule and teaching about Jesus the Messiah openly, without anyone trying to silence him.
 
 ### General Book Introduction
+This book does not give the name of the author. However, it is addressed to Theophilus, the same person to whom the Gospel of Luke is addressed. Also, in parts of the book, the author uses the word “we.” This indicates that the author traveled with Paul. Most scholars think that Luke was this person traveling with Paul. Therefore, since early Christian times, most Christians have thought Luke is the author of the Book of Acts as well as the Gospel of Luke. Luke was a medical doctor. His way of writing shows that he was an educated man. He was probably a Gentile. He saw many of the events described in the Book of Acts. Luke wrote the book of Acts for people to understand how the church is empowered by the Holy Spirit to participate in God's mission in the world.
 
 ### Passage Outline
+1. Paul Sails for Rome (27:1-12)
+2. Paul Caught in a Storm (27:13-38)
+3. Paul Shipwrecked (27:39-44)
+4. Paul on Malta (28:1-10)
+5. Paul Sails for Rome (28:11-16)
+6. Paul in Rome (28:17-30)
 
 ### Important Themes
+**Unexpected Kindness:** In the opening portion of this narrative, Paul was the recipient of kind and supportive care. In a display of true support, Paul’s coworkers—at least including, but likely more than, Aristarchus (27:2) and Luke (27:1)—put their lives in danger to accompany Paul to Rome. As risky as it was (both in making association with Paul and in making a voyage to Rome), their faithful presence to travel with Paul was a display of supportive camaraderie and genuine friendship. Moreover, Paul unexpectedly found favor from his Roman escort, Julius, who “treated Paul kindly” (27:3). Not only was Paul a prisoner, but his escort was a Roman. While we do not know the faith of Julius, the fact that Julius showed Paul kindness not only emphasizes the honor with which others esteemed Paul but also highlights that care and protection can come from unexpected places. Later in the story, Julius would come to protect Paul’s life in a decisive way (27:43). Paul would also later experience the “unusual
+kindness” (28:2) of the native people.
+
+**Hospitality and Missional Living:** While this story offers a picture of Paul’s innocence (27:3–6), it also highlights Paul’s undying missional impulse (27:7–10). In this context, Paul reciprocated the generous hospitality of the natives by in turn caring for his hosts. He healed Publius’ father (28:8) and many others (28:9). Their reception was so positive that when it came time to leave, the islanders supplied them with whatever they needed for their continued trip (28:10).
+
+**Edifying Fellow Believers:** Paul experienced hospitality from believers in other areas who were not in his immediate circle of influence. Believers from other cultures and churches can be seen as outsiders. But they are truly part of the same church community. As such, we grasp a clearer picture of God’s vision for the care of outsiders as we should expand our Christian fellowship to incorporate believers outside our normal circumference of fellowship into our lives and church
+community.
+
+**Hospitality and Evangelism:** In this final scene of Acts, “the others” to whom Paul shows hospitality are those outside the faith (i.e., unbelievers). Paul used his place of house arrest as an outpost for gospel proclamation. To attest to his innocence and to give testimony of the gospel, Paul summoned the Jewish leaders to his place of house arrest (28:17–22). He hosted large numbers of people for a long period of time (28:23). When Paul met with people (in this initial meeting and in subsequent meetings), Paul spent time expounding (28:23), bearing witness (28:23), persuading (28:23–24), proclaiming (28:31), and teaching (28:31). His message was one about the kingdom and Jesus (28:23, 31). He went about this unhindered and with boldness (28:31).
+
+<!-- page break -->
 
 ### Passage Translation
+27:1 Soon the governor decided it was time to send Paul by ship to Italy. {I, Luke, traveled with him.} He put Paul and some other prisoners under the control of a military officer whose name was Julius. This man was part of a group of soldiers who reported directly to the emperor. 2 So Julius put us aboard a ship from the city of Adramyttium in the province of Asia. This ship was about to sail to various places along the coast of Asia. In this way we began our journey by sea. Aristarchus, a man from the city of Thessalonica in the province of Macedonia, went with us. 3 The next day we arrived at the city of Sidon. There Julius treated Paul generously. He gave him permission to go see his friends in Sidon so they could help him with whatever he needed. 4 Then the ship sailed away from Sidon. We went along the coast of Cyprus, which was sheltered from the wind, because the wind was against us. 5 After that, we crossed over the sea close to the coasts of Cilicia and Pamphylia. The ship arrived at the city of Myra in the province of Lycia. We got off the ship there. 6 In Myra, Julius found a ship that had come from the city of Alexandria. It would soon sail to Italy. So he arranged for us to go aboard that ship and we left. 7 {The winds were still against us, so} we sailed slowly for many days. It was difficult, but we finally reached the city of Cnidus. From there the wind was so strong that the ship could not sail straight westward. So we sailed along the coast of the island of Crete instead{, where the wind was not blowing strongly.} We sailed past Cape Salmone, an area of land sticking out into the water. 8 The wind was still strong, and it prevented the ship from moving ahead fast. So we moved slowly along the coast of Crete. We eventually arrived at a port whose name was Fair Havens. It was near the city of Lasea.
 
-27:1 When it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they put Paul and some other prisoners under the charge of a centurion named Julius of the Imperial Regiment.[^] 2 We boarded a ship from Adramyttium, which was about to sail along the coast of Asia. So we went to sea. Aristarchus from Thessalonica in Macedonia went with us. 3 The next day we landed at the city of Sidon, where Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends to receive their care.[^] 4 From there we went to sea and sailed under the lee of Cyprus, close to the island, because the winds were against us.[^] 5 Then we had sailed across the sea and were near the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 There, the centurion found a ship from Alexandria that was going to sail to Italy. He put us in it.[^] 7 When we had sailed slowly for many days and had finally arrived with difficulty near Cnidus, the wind no longer allowed us to go that way, so we sailed along the sheltered side of Crete,[^] opposite Salmone. 8 We sailed along the coast with difficulty,[^] until we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, which is near the city of Lasea.
+9 {Because the wind was blowing from the west,} the journey from Caesarea to Fair Havens had taken much more time than the captain and centurion had planned. It had become dangerous to sail because it was late in the year and the stormy season was approaching. So Paul said to the men on the ship, 10 and said to them, “Friends, God has shown me that if we continue sailing, we will suffer harm and lose many things. A great storm will destroy the ship and its cargo and kill all of us.” 11 But the Roman officer did not believe what Paul said. Instead, he believed the pilot and the captain when they told him the ship would be safe. 12 The harbor of Fair Havens did not protect the ships in it very well from winter storms. So most of the sailors recommended leaving Fair Havens. They hoped that they could reach Phoenix and spend the winter there. Phoenix is a city on the island of Crete with a good harbor. The harbor protects ships well from winds that blow from the southwest and northwest. 13 Because only a gentle wind was blowing from the south, the ship’s crew thought that they could reach Phoenix safely. So they lifted the ship’s anchor up out of the sea and sailed the ship close to the coastline of the island of Crete. 14 After a little while, however, a stormy wind blew down from the island. It was the kind of wind that the sailors called the Northeast Wind. 15 This stormy wind blew so strongly against the front of the ship that we could not sail into it. So the sailors decided to sail in the direction that the wind was blowing. It pushed us across the sea very quickly. 16 However, the sailors were able to sail the ship on the side of a small island that was sheltered from the wind. The name of the island was Cauda. It was very difficult, but the sailors were finally able to gain control of the lifeboat. 17 The sailors hoisted the lifeboat up onto the ship. Then they wound its ropes around the hull of the ship. They became concerned that they would get stuck in the soggy sand at Syrtis. So they took down the sails {to go more slowly}. This meant they could not steer the ship, and it went wherever the wind blew it. 18 But the wind and the waves continued to toss the ship about roughly. So on the next day, the sailors began to throw overboard the things that the ship was carrying. 19 Then, on the third day of the storm, the sailors threw overboard most of the ship’s sails, ropes, and poles. They did this deliberately {in order to make the ship lighter}. 20 But the wind continued to blow very strongly against the ship. The sky was always full of dark clouds so that the sailors could not see the sun or the stars to navigate. After all this we lost hope that we would even survive.
 
-[^ ]: **27:1** **they put Paul and some other prisoners under the charge of a centurion named Julius of the Imperial Regiment** (**L**: *they were delivering both Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion, Julius by name, of the Augustan regiment* | **S**: *He put Paul and some other prisoners under the control of a military officer whose name was Julius. This man was part of a group of soldiers who reported directly to the emperor*) Paul is on his way to Rome for his trial. Paul and other prisoners were put under the watch of a centurion whose name was Julius of the Imperial Regiment. **Centurion** is a commander in the Roman army that is responsible for leading one hundred soldiers. **Imperial Regiment** is the name of the military unit from which Julius came. Christians should show hospitality even when they are going through trials. Translate **they put Paul and some other prisoners under the charge of a centurion named Julius of the Imperial Regiment** to mean that the Romans put Paul and other prisoners under the responsibility of Julius who was a leader in the Roman army of a hundred men called the Imperial Regiment.
+21 None of us on the ship had eaten for many days. Then one day, Paul stood up in front of us and said, “Friends, you should have listened to me when I said that we should not set sail from Crete. Then, we would not have suffered all this damage. 22 But now please do not be afraid, because none of us will die. The storm will destroy the ship but it will not destroy us. 23 I know this because last night an angel came and stood by me. The God who protects me and who told me to tell others about him sent this angel. 24 The angel said to me, ‘Paul, do not be afraid. You will reach Rome safely and have the opportunity to testify to the emperor. I want you to know that God is being kind to you. He will make sure that everyone who is traveling with you will also survive.’ 25 So cheer up, my friends, because I believe that God will make this happen exactly as the angel told me. 26 However, the ship will crash on some island, and we will go ashore there.”
 
-[^ ]: **27:3** **Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends to receive their care** (**L**: *Julius, treating Paul kindly, allowed him, going to {his} friends, to receive {their} care* | **S**: *There Julius treated Paul generously. He gave him permission to go see his friends in Sidon so they could help him with whatever he needed*) The ship landed in Sidon and Paul was treated kindly by Julius because Julius allowed Paul to go to his friends and receive care from them. The church needs to remember to care for those from the outside by being hospitable. Translate **Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends to receive their care** to mean that Julius treated Paul kindly because he allowed Paul to go to his friends in Sidon and receive care from them. 
+27 Now on the fourteenth night after the storm began, the storm was still blowing the ship across the open sea. At about midnight, the sailors thought that the ship was getting close to land. 28 So the sailors lowered a rope with a weight on the end to measure how deep the water was. When they pulled the rope up again, they measured it and saw that the water was 40 meters deep. A little later, they measured again and found that the water was 30 meters deep. 29 {Because the water was getting shallower,} the sailors were afraid that the ship might crash onto some rocks. So they threw four anchors into the water from the end of the ship. Then they prayed that it would soon become light {so that they could see where the ship was going}. 30 Some of the sailors were planning to escape from the ship. They did not want anyone to know what they planned to do. So they pretended that they needed to put the lifeboat in the water so they could use it to lower some anchors from the ship’s front. 31 But Paul said to the Roman officer and the soldiers, “If the sailors do not stay in the ship, you will not survive.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes and the lifeboat dropped into the sea.
 
-[^ ]: **27:4** **because the winds were against us** (**L**: *because the winds were contrary* | **S**: *because the wind was against us*) The winds were going against the sail of the ship. The opposing winds created great difficulty for the journey to continue. In spite of opposition God's providence will accomplish his purposes. Translate **because the winds were against us** to mean the winds were going against the sails. 
+33 Just before dawn, Paul encouraged everyone on the ship to eat something. He said, “For the past 14 days you have been waiting and watching and not eating anything. 34 So now I urge you to eat some food, because you must do this to live. The storm will not kill any of you{, but if you do not eat, you will die}.” 35 Then after Paul said that, while everyone was watching, he took some bread and thanked God for it. Then he broke the bread into pieces and began to eat some of it. 36 Then they all cheered up and ate some food. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on the ship. 38 When everyone had eaten enough, the sailors made the ship lighter by throwing the rest of the wheat into the water.
 
-[^ ]: **27:6** **the centurion found a ship from Alexandria that was going to sail to Italy. He put us in it** (**L**: *the centurion having found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, he put us on it* | **S**: *Julius found a ship that had come from the city of Alexandria. It would soon sail to Italy. So he arranged for us to go aboard that ship*) Julius was able to find a ship from Alexandria that was going to sail to Italy and put the prisoners in the ship. The Lord provides for his people through difficult circumstances. Translate **the centurion found a ship from Alexandria that was going to sail to Italy. He put us in it** to mean that Julius the centurion found a ship from Alexandria that was going to sail to Italy and put the prisoners in the ship. 
+39 At dawn we could see land, but the sailors did not know what it was. However, they could see a bay that had a beach. They decided to try to run the ship up onto this wide area of sand at the water’s edge. 40 So they cut the ropes that attached the anchors to the ship and let the anchors fall loose into the water. They also untied the ropes that held the rudders to the ship. They raised a sail to the top of the mast so that the wind would blow into it. Then they steered the ship toward the shore. 41 But the ship sailed into turbulent waters and ran onto a sandbank that was just under the waves. The front of the ship stuck there and could not move. Big waves beat against the back of the ship and it began to break apart.
 
-[^ ]: **27:7** **the wind no longer allowed us to go that way, so we sailed along the sheltered side of Crete** (**L**: *the wind not permitting us further, we sailed along Crete opposite Salmone* | **S**: *the wind was so strong that the ship could not sail straight westward. So we sailed along the coast of the island of Crete instead{, where the wind was not blowing strongly.}*) The wind was not allowing Paul and the prisoners to go toward Italy so they sailed along Crete to shelter themselves from the wind. **Us** refers to Paul and his companions, at least we know Luke, who wrote the book of Acts and Aristarchus was with Paul. There was great disruption to the journey for Paul, but the Lord showed them all grace. Before a Christian can be a vehicle of care to outsiders, one must become a recipient of God's kindness. Translate **the wind no longer allowed us to go that way, so we sailed along the sheltered side of Crete** to mean that the wind would not allow the ship to sail in the direction of Italy so they had to sail along the side of Crete where there was not as much wind. 
+42 The soldiers wanted to kill all the prisoners so that none of them could swim away and escape. 43 But the Roman officer wanted to save Paul. So he stopped the soldiers from killing the prisoners. Instead, he commanded everyone who could swim to jump off the ship first into the water and swim to shore. 44 Then he told the ones who could not swim to hold onto something that would float and drift toward the shore. Some held onto wooden boards that the waves had broken loose from the ship. Some held onto articles from the ship that would float. We did what he said, and in that way all of us made it safely to the shore.
 
-[^ ]: **27:8** **We sailed along the coast with difficulty** (**L**: *sailing along it with difficulty* | **S**: *So we moved slowly along the coast of Crete*) Even know there was not a lot of win, it was still difficult to sail along the coast of Crete. While life can be difficult at times, God uses human and earthly means to be beneficiaries of God's kindness. Translate **We sailed along the coast with difficulty** to mean that sailed along the coast of Crete with difficulty. 
+1 After we had arrived safely on the shore, we learned that we were on an island whose name was Malta. 2 The people who lived there took care of us very generously. It was cold and it was starting to rain. So they lit a fire and invited all of us to come and warm ourselves. 3 Now Paul {was helping by} collecting a bundle of pieces of wood to burn. When he put them on the fire, a poisonous snake came out from the bundle to escape from the heat of the fire. It bit Paul on his hand and clung to it. 4 Now the people from the island saw the snake dangling from Paul’s hand. They said to each other, “This man has probably murdered someone. He has escaped from drowning in the sea. But the goddess Justice is punishing him anyway. He will die from this snake bite.” 5 But Paul shook his hand hard so that the snake would fall off his hand and back into the fire. The snake fell off and Paul was not hurt at all. 6 Still, some of the people of the island expected that Paul’s body would soon swell up because of the snake bite. Others thought he would suddenly fall down and die. But they waited a long time and did not see either of those things happen to him. So the people decided they had been wrong about who Paul was. They said to one another, “This man is not a murderer. He must be a god{, because that snake bite would have killed any human being}!”
 
-9 We had now taken much time, the time of the Jewish feast also had passed, and it had now become dangerous to sail. So Paul warned them, 10 and said, "Men, I see that the voyage we are about to take will be with injury and much loss,[^] not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives."[^] 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the master and to the owner of the ship[^] than to those things that were spoken by Paul.[^] 12 Because the harbor was not easy to spend the winter in,[^] most of the sailors advised to sail from there, if by any means we could reach the city of Phoenix, to spend the winter there. Phoenix is a harbor in Crete, and it faces northeast and southeast. 13 When the south wind began to blow gently, the sailors thought that they had what they needed.[^] So they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But after a short time a wind of hurricane force, called the northeaster, began to beat down from the island.[^] 15 When the ship was caught by the storm and could no longer head into the wind, we had to give way to the storm and were driven along by the wind.[^] 16 We sailed along the lee of a small island called Cauda, and with difficulty we were able to secure the lifeboat.[^] 17 When they had hoisted the lifeboat up, they used its ropes to bind the hull of the ship. They were afraid that they should run upon the sandbars of Syrtis, so they lowered the sea anchor and were driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering by the storm that the next day they began throwing the cargo overboard.[^] 19 On the third day the sailors threw overboard the ship's equipment with their own hands.[^] 20 When the sun and stars did not shine on us for many days, and the great storm still beat upon us,[^] any more hope that we should be saved was abandoned.[^] 21 When they had gone long without food,[^] then Paul stood up among the sailors and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, so as to get this injury and loss.[^] 22 Now I urge you to take courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the loss of the ship.[^] 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong,[^] whom also I worship—his angel stood beside me[^] 24 and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar, and see, God in his kindness has given to you all those who are sailing with you.'[^] 25 Therefore be cheerful, men![^] For I trust God that it will happen just as it was told to me.[^] 26 But we must run aground upon some island."[^]
+7 Now the people of the island had built the fire near some fields that belonged to a man whose name was Publius. He was the chief official on the island. He invited us to come and stay in his home. He took very good care of us for three days. 8 At that time Publius’ father had fever and a stomach illness. He was lying sick in bed. So Paul visited him and prayed for him. Then Paul placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 After Paul healed Publius’ father, the rest of the people on the island who were sick came to him and he healed them too. 10 The island people also brought us gifts and showed in other ways that they greatly respected us. Later on, when we were ready to leave, they brought us food and other things that we would need on the ship.
 
-[^ ]: **27:10** **Men, I see that the voyage we are about to take will be with injury and much loss** (**L**: *Men, I see that the voyage is about to be with injury and much loss* | **S**: *Friends, God has shown me that if we continue sailing, we will suffer harm and lose many things*) As it became dangerous to sail due to the time of year, Paul gives a prophetic word and tells the people on the ship that if they continued to sail there would be injury and loss on the ship. **Voyage** means journey or traveling from one place to another. Talking to those who do not know Christ may require Christians to rebuke those who are in sin.  Translate **Men, I see that the voyage we are about to take will be with injury and much loss** to mean that Paul told the men on the ship that if they continued on the journey they will have much loss and injury. 
+11 We stayed on Malta for a total of three months. Then we left on a ship that had spent the winter there. The ship was from Alexandria and was going to Italy. On the front of the ship there were carved images of the twin gods whose names were Castor and Pollux. 12 When we arrived at the city of Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 13 Then we sailed away from Syracuse and arrived at the city of Rhegium in Italy. The next day, the wind began to blow from the south. So in only two more days, we reached the town of Puteoli. {There we got off the ship and went the rest of the way to Rome by land.} 14 In Puteoli we met some fellow believers who asked us to stay with them for seven days. After that, we continued on to Rome.
 
-[^ ]: **27:10** **not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives** (**L**: *not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives* | **S**: *A great storm will destroy the ship and its cargo and kill all of us*) Paul tells them that not only the cargo and the ship will be lost, but also the lives of the people on the ship. Christians should reiterate the potential risk of not listening God's word. Translate **not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives** to mean that the cargo and the ship would be loss but also the lives of the people on the ship. 
+15 Some fellow believers in Rome had heard that we were coming and they came to meet us. Some of them met us at the place on the Appian Road whose name was the Market. Others met us at the place whose name was the Three Inns. When Paul saw those believers, he thanked God and felt brave. 16 After we arrived in Rome, the authorities there permitted Paul to live in a home rather than in prison. But a soldier was always there to guard him.
 
-[^ ]: **27:11** **But the centurion paid more attention to the master and to the owner of the ship** (**L**: *But the centurion was being persuaded more by the pilot and by the captain* | **S**: *Instead, he believed the pilot and the captain when they told him the ship would be safe*) The soldier who was watching the prisoners did not pay attention to what Paul was saying, but instead the centurion paid attention to the the master and person who owned the ship. **Centurion** see note 27:1. **Master** in this context could mean a person who is managing the affairs of the ship or it can mean one who directs the ship, i.e. pilot. The word of the Lord may be ignored by people initially. Translate **But the centurion paid more attention to the master and to the owner of the ship** to mean
+17 Now after Paul had been in Rome for three days, he sent a message to the Jewish leaders to come and talk with him. And when they arrived, Paul said to them, “My dear kinsmen, I have not opposed our people or spoken against the customs of our ancestors. {But some Jews in Jerusalem seized me and tried to kill me. A Roman commander rescued me and later} sent me as a prisoner to the city of Caesarea so that the Roman authorities could put me on trial. 18 The Roman authorities questioned me and wanted to release me because I had not done any bad thing for which I should be executed. 19 But the Jewish leaders argued that the Romans should not set me free, So I had to request that the emperor judge me here in Rome. But I did not do that because I wanted to accuse our leaders of doing anything wrong. 20 So I asked you to come here so that I could tell you why I am a prisoner. It is because I believe in what we Jews confidently expect that God will do for us.” 21 Then the Jewish leaders replied, “We have not received any letters from our fellow Jews in Judea about you. And none of our fellow Jews who have come here from Judea have said anything bad about you. 22 But we would appreciate you telling us what you think about this group that you belong to. Please tell us, because we are aware that in many places people are speaking against it.”
 
-[^ ]: **27:11** **than to those things that were spoken by Paul** (**L**: *than by the things being spoken by Paul* | **S**: *the Roman officer did not believe what Paul said*) The centurion did not listen to those things that were spoken by Paul. **Those things** refers to what Paul said about the loss of the ship, cargo, and life. Persistently preaching the word might be necessary. Translate **than to those things that were spoken by Paul** to mean than what Paul told the centurion about the loss of the cargo, ship, and even life of the people on board. 
+23 So they decided that they would come back on another day. On that day, even more people than before came to where Paul was staying to hear Paul speak. Paul explained many things to them. He talked about how God would rule everyone. He also talked about how various places in the Scriptures foretold that Jesus would come. Paul talked for that entire day with the people who had come to his house. 24 Paul was able to persuade some of those Jews that the things he said about Jesus were true. But some others would not believe that they were true. 25 The two groups argued with each other. When they were about to leave, Paul told them one more thing. He said, “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said something through Isaiah the prophet.
 
-[^ ]: **27:12** **Because the harbor was not easy to spend the winter in** (**L**: *but the harbor being unsuitable for wintering* | **S**: *The harbor of Fair Havens did not protect the ships in it very well from winter storms*) The reason the master of the ship and owner wanted to continue the journey was because the harbor was not an easy place to spend the winter months. **Harbor** is a place which allows access from the sea to the land. **Winter** in some places can be warm but in this place winter is a cold and stormy season. Christians should be hospitable to those who are suffering. Translate **Because the harbor was not easy to spend the winter in** to mean because the place that gives access to the sea from the land was not an easy place to stay because it was winter, cold and stormy. 
+26 He said, ‘Go to the people of Israel and say to them:
+“You seem to be listening but you never really understand what God is saying. You seem to be looking but you never really recognize the things that God is doing.” 
 
-[^ ]: **27:13** **the sailors thought that they had what they needed** (**L**: *thinking to have obtained {their} purpose* | **S**: *the ship’s crew thought that they could reach Phoenix safely*) As the ship continued the journey a calm wind carried the ship along, and the sailors believed that they have accomplished their purpose. People use circumstances to dictate their lives, but circumstances can change at any moment. Translate **the sailors thought that they had what they needed** to mean that the sailors believed they did what was necessary to continue the journey. 
+27 These people do not understand because they have become stubborn. It is as if they have become deaf.
+It is as if they have closed their eyes.
+It is as if they have done this because they do not want to see well,
+and they do not want to hear well,
+and they do not want to understand well.
+If they did pay attention to me and understand what I am telling them, they would stop sinning and live in the right way again.
+If they did that, I would restore them.’
 
-[^ ]: **27:14** **But after a short time a wind of hurricane force, called the northeaster, began to beat down from the island** (**L**: *But after not long, a tempestuous wind called Eurakylon rushed down from it* | **S**: *After a little while, however, a stormy wind blew down from the island*) Just as the sailors thought they got through the difficult part of the journey the wind changed and a hurricane wind called the northeaster blew from the island. **Hurricane force** means a very strong wind. **Northeaster** is the name of the type of wind that came upon the ship. Translate **But after a short time a wind of hurricane force, called the northeaster, began to beat down from the island** to mean that after a short time a strong wind called a northeaster began to blow down to the ship from the island. 
+28 Therefore, you should know that God is offering to save the non-Jews, and many of them will accept his offer.” 29 When he had said these things, the Jews went away. They were having a great dispute among themselves. 30 After that, Paul stayed in Rome for two whole years in a house that he rented. Many people came to see him. He received each of them gladly and spoke with them. 31 He preached about how God would rule over everyone. He also taught people about the Lord Jesus the Messiah. He spoke about these things very openly. No one tried to stop him.
 
-[^ ]: **27:15** **were driven along by the wind** (**L**: *having given way, we were driven along* | **S**: *So the sailors decided to sail in the direction that the wind was blowing. It pushed us across the sea very quickly*) The ship was driven along by this wind. **Driven** in this context does not mean driving in a vehicle, but the wind was dictating where they were going. The ship lost control. While difficult trials may seem purposeless, the Lord uses them for His glory. Translate **were driven along by the wind** to mean that the wind was dictating where the ship was going. 
+<!-- page break -->
 
-[^ ]: **27:16** **with difficulty we were able to secure the lifeboat** (**L**: *we were able with difficulty to become controllers of the lifeboat* | **S**: *It was very difficult, but the sailors were finally able to gain control of the lifeboat*) As they were being directed by the wind cargo and other things started to move around, but they were able to secure the lifeboat. A **lifeboat** is something that ships tow behind their larger ship and might even bring it on board the ship and tie it down. The lifeboat is used for various reasons including escaping the larger ship. Translate **with difficulty we were able to secure the lifeboat** to mean it was difficult for the people on the ship to secure the smaller boat that is used to escape the larger ship in case of issues. 
+### Passage Translation (with notes)
+27:1 When it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they put Paul and some other prisoners under the charge of a centurion named Julius of the Imperial Regiment.[^1] 2 We boarded a ship from Adramyttium, which was about to sail along the coast of Asia. So we went to sea. Aristarchus from Thessalonica in Macedonia went with us. 3 The next day we landed at the city of Sidon, where Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends to receive their care.[^2] 4 From there we went to sea and sailed under the lee of Cyprus, close to the island, because the winds were against us.[^3] 5 Then we had sailed across the sea and were near the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 There, the centurion found a ship from Alexandria that was going to sail to Italy. He put us in it.[^4] 7 When we had sailed slowly for many days and had finally arrived with difficulty near Cnidus, the wind no longer allowed us to go that way, so we sailed along the sheltered side of Crete,[^5] opposite Salmone. 8 We sailed along the coast with difficulty,[^6] until we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, which is near the city of Lasea.
 
-[^ ]: **27:18** **they began throwing the cargo overboard** (**L**: *But we being exceedingly storm-tossed, on the next day they were doing a jettison* | **S**: *So on the next day, the sailors began to throw overboard the things that the ship was carrying*) As the wind continued to toss them around the sea they decided to throw the cargo overboard. **Overboard** means they took the cargo on the ship and threw it into the sea. People believe they can fix their difficult circumstances by their own means. Translate ** they began throwing the cargo overboard** to mean the sailors began to throw cargo into the sea. 
+[^1]: **27:1** **they put Paul and some other prisoners under the charge of a centurion named Julius of the Imperial Regiment** (**L**: *they were delivering both Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion, Julius by name, of the Augustan regiment* | **S**: *He put Paul and some other prisoners under the control of a military officer whose name was Julius. This man was part of a group of soldiers who reported directly to the emperor*) Paul is on his way to Rome for his trial. Paul and other prisoners were put under the watch of a centurion whose name was Julius of the Imperial Regiment. **Centurion** is a commander in the Roman army that is responsible for leading one hundred soldiers. **Imperial Regiment** is the name of the military unit from which Julius came. Christians should show hospitality even when they are going through trials. Translate **they put Paul and some other prisoners under the charge of a centurion named Julius of the Imperial Regiment** to mean that the Romans put Paul and other prisoners under the responsibility of Julius who was a leader in the Roman army of a hundred men called the Imperial Regiment.
 
-[^ ]: **27:19** **On the third day the sailors threw overboard the ship's equipment with their own hands** (**L**: *And on the third day they threw the equipment of the ship {overboard} with their own hands* | **S**: *Then, on the third day of the storm, the sailors threw overboard most of the ship’s sails, ropes, and poles*) On the third day of facing the wind the sailors threw the ship's equipment into the sea. **Ship's equipment** is a reference to ropes and other equipment necessary to sail the ship. When going through difficult times our human tendency is to over react. Translate **On the third day the sailors threw overboard the ship's equipment with their own hands** to mean that on the third day of going through this windy storm the sailors began to throw the equipment to sail the ship into the sea. 
+[^2]: **27:3** **Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends to receive their care** (**L**: *Julius, treating Paul kindly, allowed him, going to {his} friends, to receive {their} care* | **S**: *There Julius treated Paul generously. He gave him permission to go see his friends in Sidon so they could help him with whatever he needed*) The ship landed in Sidon and Paul was treated kindly by Julius because Julius allowed Paul to go to his friends and receive care from them. The church needs to remember to care for those from the outside by being hospitable. Translate **Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends to receive their care** to mean that Julius treated Paul kindly because he allowed Paul to go to his friends in Sidon and receive care from them. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:20** **When the sun and stars did not shine on us for many days, and the great storm still beat upon us** (**L**: *But neither sun nor stars appearing for many days, and no small storm lying upon us* | **S**: *The sky was always full of dark clouds so that the sailors could not see the sun or the stars to navigate*) The storm continued for many days that Paul and the people on the ship did not see the sun during the day or the stars at night. **Sun and the stars** were important for sailing during the time of Paul. The sun and the stars allowed the sailors to know where they were going. The storms of life can make people think the worse has yet to come. Translate **When the sun and stars did not shine on us for many days, and the great storm still beat upon us** to mean that the sun and stars did not appear for many days making it difficult to sail, and the strong storm continued. 
+[^3]: **27:4** **because the winds were against us** (**L**: *because the winds were contrary* | **S**: *because the wind was against us*) The winds were going against the sail of the ship. The opposing winds created great difficulty for the journey to continue. In spite of opposition God's providence will accomplish his purposes. Translate **because the winds were against us** to mean the winds were going against the sails. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:20** **any more hope that we should be saved was abandoned** (**L**: *all hope for us to be saved was finally being taken away* | **S**: *After all this we lost hope that we would even survive*) Paul and the people on the ship felt that there was no longer hope of them being saved from the storm. **Saved** in this context means safe from the dangers of the storm. The storms of life can make people feel hopeless. Translate **any more hope that we should be saved was abandoned** to mean
+[^4]: **27:6** **the centurion found a ship from Alexandria that was going to sail to Italy. He put us in it** (**L**: *the centurion having found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, he put us on it* | **S**: *Julius found a ship that had come from the city of Alexandria. It would soon sail to Italy. So he arranged for us to go aboard that ship*) Julius was able to find a ship from Alexandria that was going to sail to Italy and put the prisoners in the ship. The Lord provides for his people through difficult circumstances. Translate **the centurion found a ship from Alexandria that was going to sail to Italy. He put us in it** to mean that Julius the centurion found a ship from Alexandria that was going to sail to Italy and put the prisoners in the ship. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:21** **When they had gone long without food** (**L**: *And as there had been much abstinence* | **S**: *None of us on the ship had eaten for many days*) The people lost hope because they have gone a very long time without food. The trials we face can cause us to feel that death is imminent. Translate **When they had gone long without food** to mean they lost hope because they have not eaten in many days. 
+[^5]: **27:7** **the wind no longer allowed us to go that way, so we sailed along the sheltered side of Crete** (**L**: *the wind not permitting us further, we sailed along Crete opposite Salmone* | **S**: *the wind was so strong that the ship could not sail straight westward. So we sailed along the coast of the island of Crete instead{, where the wind was not blowing strongly.}*) The wind was not allowing Paul and the prisoners to go toward Italy so they sailed along Crete to shelter themselves from the wind. **Us** refers to Paul and his companions, at least we know Luke, who wrote the book of Acts and Aristarchus was with Paul. There was great disruption to the journey for Paul, but the Lord showed them all grace. Before a Christian can be a vehicle of care to outsiders, one must become a recipient of God's kindness. Translate **the wind no longer allowed us to go that way, so we sailed along the sheltered side of Crete** to mean that the wind would not allow the ship to sail in the direction of Italy so they had to sail along the side of Crete where there was not as much wind. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:21** **Men, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, so as to get this injury and loss** (**L**: *men, it was indeed necessary, obeying me, not to put to sea from Crete and to avoid this damage and loss* | **S**: *Friends, you should have listened to me when I said that we should not set sail from Crete. Then, we would not have suffered all this damage*) Paul speaks to the people in the midst of this storm. Paul tells them that they should have listened to him when Paul said that they should not continue the journey and leave Crete because that is how they ended up with so much loss. **Injury and loss** is used by Paul for emphasis and means such great loss. God rebukes people when they fail to take heed to his word. Translate **Men, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, so as to get this injury and loss** to mean Paul stood up and told the men on the ship that they should have listened to what he said earlier which is why they had such a great loss. 
+[^6]: **27:8** **We sailed along the coast with difficulty** (**L**: *sailing along it with difficulty* | **S**: *So we moved slowly along the coast of Crete*) Even know there was not a lot of win, it was still difficult to sail along the coast of Crete. While life can be difficult at times, God uses human and earthly means to be beneficiaries of God's kindness. Translate **We sailed along the coast with difficulty** to mean that sailed along the coast of Crete with difficulty. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:22** **Now I urge you to take courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the loss of the ship** (**L**: *But now I urge you to take courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, only of the ship* | **S**: *But now please do not be afraid, because none of us will die. The storm will destroy the ship but it will not destroy us*) Paul then told them they should have courage for there will be no loss of life only the ship will be destroyed. **No Loss of life** means people would not die. **Loss of the ship** means the ship will not be usable. Speaking encouraging words through the storms of life can cause people to be grateful. Translate **Now I urge you to take courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the loss of the ship** to mean Paul urged the people to have courage because nobody would die, only the ship would not be usable. 
+9 We had now taken much time, the time of the Jewish feast also had passed, and it had now become dangerous to sail. So Paul warned them, 10 and said, "Men, I see that the voyage we are about to take will be with injury and much loss,[^7] not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives."[^8] 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the master and to the owner of the ship[^9] than to those things that were spoken by Paul.[^10] 12 Because the harbor was not easy to spend the winter in,[^11] most of the sailors advised to sail from there, if by any means we could reach the city of Phoenix, to spend the winter there. Phoenix is a harbor in Crete, and it faces northeast and southeast. 13 When the south wind began to blow gently, the sailors thought that they had what they needed.[^12] So they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But after a short time a wind of hurricane force, called the northeaster, began to beat down from the island.[^13] 15 When the ship was caught by the storm and could no longer head into the wind, we had to give way to the storm and were driven along by the wind.[^14] 16 We sailed along the lee of a small island called Cauda, and with difficulty we were able to secure the lifeboat.[^15] 17 When they had hoisted the lifeboat up, they used its ropes to bind the hull of the ship. They were afraid that they should run upon the sandbars of Syrtis, so they lowered the sea anchor and were driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering by the storm that the next day they began throwing the cargo overboard.[^16] 19 On the third day the sailors threw overboard the ship's equipment with their own hands.[^17] 20 When the sun and stars did not shine on us for many days, and the great storm still beat upon us,[^18] any more hope that we should be saved was abandoned.[^19] 21 When they had gone long without food,[^20] then Paul stood up among the sailors and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, so as to get this injury and loss.[^21] 22 Now I urge you to take courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the loss of the ship.[^22] 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong,[^23] whom also I worship—his angel stood beside me[^24] 24 and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar, and see, God in his kindness has given to you all those who are sailing with you.'[^25] 25 Therefore be cheerful, men![^26] For I trust God that it will happen just as it was told to me.[^27] 26 But we must run aground upon some island."[^28]
 
-[^ ]: **27:23** **For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong** (**L**: *For this night an angel of the God whose I am* | **S**: *I know this because last night an angel came and stood by me*) Paul good tell the people what happened because the previous night an angel of God came to Paul. **God to whom I belong** means that Paul believed in the true and living God. The Lord brings a word of rebuke but also a word of encouragement. Translate **For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong** to mean For last night an angel of the God I believe in. 
+[^7]: **27:10** **Men, I see that the voyage we are about to take will be with injury and much loss** (**L**: *Men, I see that the voyage is about to be with injury and much loss* | **S**: *Friends, God has shown me that if we continue sailing, we will suffer harm and lose many things*) As it became dangerous to sail due to the time of year, Paul gives a prophetic word and tells the people on the ship that if they continued to sail there would be injury and loss on the ship. **Voyage** means journey or traveling from one place to another. Talking to those who do not know Christ may require Christians to rebuke those who are in sin.  Translate **Men, I see that the voyage we are about to take will be with injury and much loss** to mean that Paul told the men on the ship that if they continued on the journey they will have much loss and injury. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:23** **whom also I worship—his angel stood beside me** (**L**: *whom I serve stood beside me* | **S**: *The God who protects me and who told me to tell others about him sent this angel*) Paul goes on to tell them that the angel is from the God he worships and this angel stood beside him. The Lord shows mercy to his people. Translate **whom also I worship—his angel stood beside me** to mean the God who Paul worships, that angel stood beside him. 
+[^8]: **27:10** **not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives** (**L**: *not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives* | **S**: *A great storm will destroy the ship and its cargo and kill all of us*) Paul tells them that not only the cargo and the ship will be lost, but also the lives of the people on the ship. Christians should reiterate the potential risk of not listening God's word. Translate **not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives** to mean that the cargo and the ship would be loss but also the lives of the people on the ship. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:24** **God in his kindness has given to you all those who are sailing with you** (**L**: *God has graciously granted to you all the ones sailing with you* | **S**: *I want you to know that God is being kind to you. He will make sure that everyone who is traveling with you will also survive*) Paul tells the sailors and the people on the ship that he must stand before Caesar and that God has also shown his kindness to all those who are on the ship. **Given to you** means that all the people with Paul will not die but will be saved like Paul. God kindness to his people impacts the people around them. Translate **God in his kindness has given to you all those who are sailing with you** to mean that God in his kindness will not let any of the people with Paul perish. 
+[^9]: **27:11** **But the centurion paid more attention to the master and to the owner of the ship** (**L**: *But the centurion was being persuaded more by the pilot and by the captain* | **S**: *Instead, he believed the pilot and the captain when they told him the ship would be safe*) The soldier who was watching the prisoners did not pay attention to what Paul was saying, but instead the centurion paid attention to the the master and person who owned the ship. **Centurion** see note 27:1. **Master** in this context could mean a person who is managing the affairs of the ship or it can mean one who directs the ship, i.e. pilot. The word of the Lord may be ignored by people initially. Translate **But the centurion paid more attention to the master and to the owner of the ship** to mean
 
-[^ ]: **27:25** **Therefore be cheerful, men!** (**L**: *Therefore take courage, men* | **S**: *So cheer up, my friends*) Paul's message to them was to be cheerful even in the midst of the storm. The Lord's word encourages people event through the storms of life. Translate **Therefore be cheerful, men!** to mean Because the Lord spoke to Paul through an angel, Paul wanted the men to be cheerful. 
+[^10]: **27:11** **than to those things that were spoken by Paul** (**L**: *than by the things being spoken by Paul* | **S**: *the Roman officer did not believe what Paul said*) The centurion did not listen to those things that were spoken by Paul. **Those things** refers to what Paul said about the loss of the ship, cargo, and life. Persistently preaching the word might be necessary. Translate **than to those things that were spoken by Paul** to mean than what Paul told the centurion about the loss of the cargo, ship, and even life of the people on board. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:25** **For I trust God that it will happen just as it was told to me** (**L**: *For I trust in God that it will be thus, according to the way it was told to me* | **S**: *because I believe that God will make this happen exactly as the angel told me*) Paul trusted that God will preserve him and the men on the ship just as it was told to him by the angel. Christians should trust the Lord through the storms of life. Translate **For I trust God that it will happen just as it was told to me** to mean that Paul trusted that God will have happen what was told to him by the angel. 
+[^11]: **27:12** **Because the harbor was not easy to spend the winter in** (**L**: *but the harbor being unsuitable for wintering* | **S**: *The harbor of Fair Havens did not protect the ships in it very well from winter storms*) The reason the master of the ship and owner wanted to continue the journey was because the harbor was not an easy place to spend the winter months. **Harbor** is a place which allows access from the sea to the land. **Winter** in some places can be warm but in this place winter is a cold and stormy season. Christians should be hospitable to those who are suffering. Translate **Because the harbor was not easy to spend the winter in** to mean because the place that gives access to the sea from the land was not an easy place to stay because it was winter, cold and stormy. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:26** **But we must run aground upon some island** (**L**: *But it is necessary for us to fall upon some island* | **S**: *However, the ship will crash on some island, and we will go ashore there*) Paul encourages the men of the ship that their lives would be saved, but informs them that the ship must crash on some island. **Run aground** means the boat will crash and no longer be able to sail. The Lord encourages his people to give thanks even when circumstances are difficult. Translate **But we must run aground upon some island** to mean that the ship must crash on some island. 
+[^12]: **27:13** **the sailors thought that they had what they needed** (**L**: *thinking to have obtained {their} purpose* | **S**: *the ship’s crew thought that they could reach Phoenix safely*) As the ship continued the journey a calm wind carried the ship along, and the sailors believed that they have accomplished their purpose. People use circumstances to dictate their lives, but circumstances can change at any moment. Translate **the sailors thought that they had what they needed** to mean that the sailors believed they did what was necessary to continue the journey. 
 
-27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven this way and that in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors thought that they were approaching some land. 28 They took soundings and found twenty fathoms;[^] after a little while, they took more soundings and found fifteen fathoms. 29 They were afraid that we might crash on the rocks,[^] so they lowered four anchors from the stern and prayed that morning would come soon.[^] 30 The sailors were looking for a way to abandon the ship and had lowered the lifeboat into the sea, and pretended that they would throw down the anchors from the bow. 31 But Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved."[^] 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and let it drift away. 33 When daylight was coming on, Paul urged them all to take some food. He said, "This day is the fourteenth day that you wait and do not eat; you have eaten nothing. 34 So I urge you to share some food, for this is necessary for you to survive.[^] For not one of you will lose a single hair from his head."[^] 35 When he had said this, he took bread and he thanked God in the sight of everyone. Then he broke the bread and began to eat.[^] 36 Then they were all encouraged and they also took food.[^] 37 We were 276 people in the ship. 38 When they had eaten enough, they made the ship lighter by throwing out the wheat into the sea.[^] 39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a beach, and they discussed whether they could drive the ship onto it. 40 So they cut loose the anchors and left them in the sea. At the same time they loosed the ropes of the rudders and raised the foresail to the wind; and so they headed to the beach. 41 But they came to a place where two currents met, and the ship ran into the ground. The bow of the ship stuck there and remained unmovable, but the stern began to break up because of the waves' violence. 42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners so that none of them could swim away and escape.[^] 43 But the centurion wanted to save Paul, so he stopped their plan;[^] and he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.[^] 44 Then the rest of the men should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship.[^] In this way it happened that all of us came safely to land.[^]
+[^13]: **27:14** **But after a short time a wind of hurricane force, called the northeaster, began to beat down from the island** (**L**: *But after not long, a tempestuous wind called Eurakylon rushed down from it* | **S**: *After a little while, however, a stormy wind blew down from the island*) Just as the sailors thought they got through the difficult part of the journey the wind changed and a hurricane wind called the northeaster blew from the island. **Hurricane force** means a very strong wind. **Northeaster** is the name of the type of wind that came upon the ship. Translate **But after a short time a wind of hurricane force, called the northeaster, began to beat down from the island** to mean that after a short time a strong wind called a northeaster began to blow down to the ship from the island. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:28** **They took soundings and found twenty fathoms** (**L**: *And taking soundings, they found 20 fathoms* | **S**: *So the sailors lowered a rope with a weight on the end to measure how deep the water was. When they pulled the rope up again, they measured it and saw that the water was 40 meters deep*) As they continued on their journey for fourteen days the sailors of the ship took some measurements and found twenty fathoms. **Soundings** in this context refers to measuring the depth of the water. **Twenty fathoms** is a type of measurement which in this case means 40 meters or 120 feet. Translate **They took soundings and found twenty fathoms** to mean they measured the depth of the water to be 40 meters. 
+[^14]: **27:15** **were driven along by the wind** (**L**: *having given way, we were driven along* | **S**: *So the sailors decided to sail in the direction that the wind was blowing. It pushed us across the sea very quickly*) The ship was driven along by this wind. **Driven** in this context does not mean driving in a vehicle, but the wind was dictating where they were going. The ship lost control. While difficult trials may seem purposeless, the Lord uses them for His glory. Translate **were driven along by the wind** to mean that the wind was dictating where the ship was going. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:29** **They were afraid that we might crash on the rocks** (**L**: *fearing lest we might fall upon a rugged place somewhere* | **S**: *the sailors were afraid that the ship might crash onto some rocks*) The sailors were afraid that the ship would crash on some rocks. Paul had already told them the ship would crash. People are prone to question or prevent what the Lord has already determined.  Translate **They were afraid that we might crash on the rocks** to mean the people of the ship were afraid they might crash on some rocks. 
+[^15]: **27:16** **with difficulty we were able to secure the lifeboat** (**L**: *we were able with difficulty to become controllers of the lifeboat* | **S**: *It was very difficult, but the sailors were finally able to gain control of the lifeboat*) As they were being directed by the wind cargo and other things started to move around, but they were able to secure the lifeboat. A **lifeboat** is something that ships tow behind their larger ship and might even bring it on board the ship and tie it down. The lifeboat is used for various reasons including escaping the larger ship. Translate **with difficulty we were able to secure the lifeboat** to mean it was difficult for the people on the ship to secure the smaller boat that is used to escape the larger ship in case of issues. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:29** **so they lowered four anchors from the stern and prayed that morning would come soon** (**L**: *having lowered four anchors from the stern, they were praying for day to come* | **S**: *So they threw four anchors into the water from the end of the ship. Then they prayed that it would soon become light*) In order to try and not crash the sailors lowered the four anchors from the stern and prayed that morning would come soon so the sailors could see what was happening. **Stern** is the term used to describe the back of the ship. Whenever people try to provide for their own salvation it only leads to death. Translate **so they lowered four anchors from the stern and prayed that morning would come soon** to mean that the sailors lowered the four anchors in the back of the ship and prayed that morning would come so they could see what was happening. 
+[^16]: **27:18** **they began throwing the cargo overboard** (**L**: *But we being exceedingly storm-tossed, on the next day they were doing a jettison* | **S**: *So on the next day, the sailors began to throw overboard the things that the ship was carrying*) As the wind continued to toss them around the sea they decided to throw the cargo overboard. **Overboard** means they took the cargo on the ship and threw it into the sea. People believe they can fix their difficult circumstances by their own means. Translate ** they began throwing the cargo overboard** to mean the sailors began to throw cargo into the sea. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:31** **Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved** (**L**: *If these do not stay in the ship, you are not able to be saved* | **S**: *If the sailors do not stay in the ship, you will not survive*) Paul told the centurion that the prisoners and centurion would not be saved unless the sailors stayed on the ship. **These men** refers to the sailors. True salvation and safety only comes from God. Translate **Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved** to mean unless the sailors stayed in the ship the centurion and the prisoners could not be saved. 
+[^17]: **27:19** **On the third day the sailors threw overboard the ship's equipment with their own hands** (**L**: *And on the third day they threw the equipment of the ship {overboard} with their own hands* | **S**: *Then, on the third day of the storm, the sailors threw overboard most of the ship’s sails, ropes, and poles*) On the third day of facing the wind the sailors threw the ship's equipment into the sea. **Ship's equipment** is a reference to ropes and other equipment necessary to sail the ship. When going through difficult times our human tendency is to over react. Translate **On the third day the sailors threw overboard the ship's equipment with their own hands** to mean that on the third day of going through this windy storm the sailors began to throw the equipment to sail the ship into the sea. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:34** **So I urge you to share some food, for this is necessary for you to survive** (**L**: *I urge you to take food, for this is for your salvation* | **S**: *So now I urge you to eat some food, because you must do this to live*) Paul encouraged the people on the ship to share food with one another for they have not eaten in fourteen days and needed food to survive. **Share some food** means Paul wanted them to eat something. Christians are to act as hosts to outsiders as they go through the storms of life. Translate **So I urge you to share some food, for this is necessary for you to survive** to mean that Paul wanted the people on the ship to eat some food because it is necessary for them to eat in order to survive.
+[^18]: **27:20** **When the sun and stars did not shine on us for many days, and the great storm still beat upon us** (**L**: *But neither sun nor stars appearing for many days, and no small storm lying upon us* | **S**: *The sky was always full of dark clouds so that the sailors could not see the sun or the stars to navigate*) The storm continued for many days that Paul and the people on the ship did not see the sun during the day or the stars at night. **Sun and the stars** were important for sailing during the time of Paul. The sun and the stars allowed the sailors to know where they were going. The storms of life can make people think the worse has yet to come. Translate **When the sun and stars did not shine on us for many days, and the great storm still beat upon us** to mean that the sun and stars did not appear for many days making it difficult to sail, and the strong storm continued. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:34** **For not one of you will lose a single hair from his head** (**L**: *For a hair from the head of none of you will perish* | **S**: *The storm will not kill any of you{,but if you do not eat, you will die}*) Paul reminded them of God's word and told them that not one of them would die. Paul used this phrase to emphasize that that each person will survive with no harm, even a single hair would not be harmed. As Christians show hospitality to outsiders they should encourage them with God's word. Translate **For not one of you will lose a single hair from his head** to mean that each person on the ship would survive without suffering any harm. 
+[^19]: **27:20** **any more hope that we should be saved was abandoned** (**L**: *all hope for us to be saved was finally being taken away* | **S**: *After all this we lost hope that we would even survive*) Paul and the people on the ship felt that there was no longer hope of them being saved from the storm. **Saved** in this context means safe from the dangers of the storm. The storms of life can make people feel hopeless. Translate **any more hope that we should be saved was abandoned** to mean
 
-[^ ]: **27:35** **he took bread and he thanked God in the sight of everyone. Then he broke the bread and began to eat** (**L**: *having said this and having taken bread, he gave thanks to God before everyone* | **S**: *he took some bread and thanked God for it. Then he broke the bread into pieces and began to eat some of it*) Paul took the bread and thanked God in the sight of everyone. Paul then broke the bread and began to eat the bread. **In the sight of everyone** means all the people on board witnessed Paul giving thanks for the bread. Christians who show hospitality to strangers can use the opportunity to witness to them by giving thanks to God for what God has provided. Translate **he took bread and he thanked God in the sight of everyone. Then he broke the bread and began to eat** to mean that Paul took the bread and gave thanks to God in front of everyone on the ship. Paul then broke the bread into pieces and ate. 
+[^20]: **27:21** **When they had gone long without food** (**L**: *And as there had been much abstinence* | **S**: *None of us on the ship had eaten for many days*) The people lost hope because they have gone a very long time without food. The trials we face can cause us to feel that death is imminent. Translate **When they had gone long without food** to mean they lost hope because they have not eaten in many days. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:36** **Then they were all encouraged and they also took food** (**L**: *And they were all encouraged and took food themselves* | **S**: *Then they all cheered up and ate some food*) What Paul said encouraged the people and they also took the food to eat. Faithful dependence upon God's word and worshipful fellowship proclaims the gospel. Translate **Then they were all encouraged and they also took food** to mean all the people on the ship were encouraged because of what Paul said and they also took food to eat. 
+[^21]: **27:21** **Men, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, so as to get this injury and loss** (**L**: *men, it was indeed necessary, obeying me, not to put to sea from Crete and to avoid this damage and loss* | **S**: *Friends, you should have listened to me when I said that we should not set sail from Crete. Then, we would not have suffered all this damage*) Paul speaks to the people in the midst of this storm. Paul tells them that they should have listened to him when Paul said that they should not continue the journey and leave Crete because that is how they ended up with so much loss. **Injury and loss** is used by Paul for emphasis and means such great loss. God rebukes people when they fail to take heed to his word. Translate **Men, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, so as to get this injury and loss** to mean Paul stood up and told the men on the ship that they should have listened to what he said earlier which is why they had such a great loss. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:38** **When they had eaten enough, they made the ship lighter by throwing out the wheat into the sea** (**L**: *And having been satisfied with food, they were lightening the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea* | **S**: *When everyone had eaten enough, the sailors made the ship lighter by throwing the rest of the wheat into the water*) After they all had eaten enough they took the wheat that was on board and threw it into the sea to make the ship lighter. **Wheat** is a type of grain that would be used to make bread. Christian hospitality to strangers can demonstrate a heart of contentment. Translate **When they had eaten enough, they made the ship lighter by throwing out the wheat into the sea** to mean when they ate enough they made the ship lighter by throwing the wheat on the ship into the sea.
+[^22]: **27:22** **Now I urge you to take courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the loss of the ship** (**L**: *But now I urge you to take courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, only of the ship* | **S**: *But now please do not be afraid, because none of us will die. The storm will destroy the ship but it will not destroy us*) Paul then told them they should have courage for there will be no loss of life only the ship will be destroyed. **No Loss of life** means people would not die. **Loss of the ship** means the ship will not be usable. Speaking encouraging words through the storms of life can cause people to be grateful. Translate **Now I urge you to take courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the loss of the ship** to mean Paul urged the people to have courage because nobody would die, only the ship would not be usable. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:42** **The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners so that none of them could swim away and escape** (**L**: *Now the plan of the soldiers was that they would kill the prisoners, lest any, swimming away, might escape* | **S**: *The soldiers wanted to kill all the prisoners so that none of them could swim away and escape*) The ship was finally close to shore but as Paul said the ship hit a reef and was no longer able to sail. The plan of the soldiers was to kill the prisoners so that none of them could escape. Nothing can change what God has planned. Translate **The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners so that none of them could swim away and escape** to mean the soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners so that none of them could swim away and escape. 
+[^23]: **27:23** **For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong** (**L**: *For this night an angel of the God whose I am* | **S**: *I know this because last night an angel came and stood by me*) Paul good tell the people what happened because the previous night an angel of God came to Paul. **God to whom I belong** means that Paul believed in the true and living God. The Lord brings a word of rebuke but also a word of encouragement. Translate **For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong** to mean For last night an angel of the God I believe in. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:43** **But the centurion wanted to save Paul, so he stopped their plan** (**L**: *But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, stopped their plan* | **S**: *But the Roman officer wanted to save Paul*) The centurion wanted to save Paul so the Centurion stopped the soldiers from killing the prisoners. **Their plan** refers to the plan of the soldiers to kill the prisoners. Christians trust in the salvation that comes from God. Translate **But the centurion wanted to save Paul, so he stopped their plan** to mean the centurion wanted to save Paul so he stopped the soldiers from killing the prisoners. 
+[^24]: **27:23** **whom also I worship—his angel stood beside me** (**L**: *whom I serve stood beside me* | **S**: *The God who protects me and who told me to tell others about him sent this angel*) Paul goes on to tell them that the angel is from the God he worships and this angel stood beside him. The Lord shows mercy to his people. Translate **whom also I worship—his angel stood beside me** to mean the God who Paul worships, that angel stood beside him. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:43** **and he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land** (**L**: *he commanded the ones being able to swim to depart first to the land, jumping overboard* | **S**: *Instead, he commanded everyone who could swim to jump off the ship first into the water and swim to shore*) The centurion took the lead and made those who can swim jump off the ship first and swim to land. **Jump overboard** means the people would jump off the ship. Translate **and he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land** to mean the centurion first ordered those who could swim to jump off the ship and swim to land. 
+[^25]: **27:24** **God in his kindness has given to you all those who are sailing with you** (**L**: *God has graciously granted to you all the ones sailing with you* | **S**: *I want you to know that God is being kind to you. He will make sure that everyone who is traveling with you will also survive*) Paul tells the sailors and the people on the ship that he must stand before Caesar and that God has also shown his kindness to all those who are on the ship. **Given to you** means that all the people with Paul will not die but will be saved like Paul. God kindness to his people impacts the people around them. Translate **God in his kindness has given to you all those who are sailing with you** to mean that God in his kindness will not let any of the people with Paul perish. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:44** **Then the rest of the men should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship** (**L**: *the rest, some on planks, and some on certain things from the ship* | **S**: *Then he told the ones who could not swim to hold onto something that would float and drift toward the shore*) The rest of the men on the ship should follow and use planks or other things from the ship. **Rest of the men** in this case was those who could not swim and they were to also jump off the ship. **Planks** are wooden boards that float. Christians should focus on seeing the community thrive rather than just themselves. Translate **Then the rest of the men should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship** to mean then those who could not swim should follow and jump off the ship. They should use wooden boards that float and other things from the ship to help them get to land. 
+[^26]: **27:25** **Therefore be cheerful, men!** (**L**: *Therefore take courage, men* | **S**: *So cheer up, my friends*) Paul's message to them was to be cheerful even in the midst of the storm. The Lord's word encourages people event through the storms of life. Translate **Therefore be cheerful, men!** to mean Because the Lord spoke to Paul through an angel, Paul wanted the men to be cheerful. 
 
-[^ ]: **27:44** **In this way it happened that all of us came safely to land** (**L**: *in this way it happened that all were brought safely to the land* | **S**: *We did what he said, and in that way all of us made it safely to the shore*) Because of God being faithful to his word all of the people on the ship came safely to land. **In this way it happened** is a reference to how it was described previously on how they would get to the land. Christians can exemplify true community that lives in the care of God's protecting presence. Translate **In this way it happened that all of us came safely to land** to mean Because they followed the plan of the centurion all the people of the ship made it to land without any injuries. 
+[^27]: **27:25** **For I trust God that it will happen just as it was told to me** (**L**: *For I trust in God that it will be thus, according to the way it was told to me* | **S**: *because I believe that God will make this happen exactly as the angel told me*) Paul trusted that God will preserve him and the men on the ship just as it was told to him by the angel. Christians should trust the Lord through the storms of life. Translate **For I trust God that it will happen just as it was told to me** to mean that Paul trusted that God will have happen what was told to him by the angel. 
 
-28:1 When we were brought safely through,[^] we learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The native people offered to us not just ordinary kindness,[^] but they lit a fire and welcomed us all, because of the constant rain and cold.[^] 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and placed them on the fire,[^] a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened onto his hand. 4 When the native people saw the animal hanging from his hand, they said one to another, "This man certainly is a murderer who escaped from the sea, yet justice does not permit him to live."[^] 5 But then he shook the animal into the fire and suffered no harm.[^] 6 They were waiting for him to become inflamed with a fever or to suddenly drop dead.[^] But after they watched him for a long time and saw that nothing was unusual with him,[^] they changed their minds and said that he was a god.[^]
+[^28]: **27:26** **But we must run aground upon some island** (**L**: *But it is necessary for us to fall upon some island* | **S**: *However, the ship will crash on some island, and we will go ashore there*) Paul encourages the men of the ship that their lives would be saved, but informs them that the ship must crash on some island. **Run aground** means the boat will crash and no longer be able to sail. The Lord encourages his people to give thanks even when circumstances are difficult. Translate **But we must run aground upon some island** to mean that the ship must crash on some island. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:1** **When we were brought safely through** (**L**: *And having been brought safely through* | **S**: *After we had arrived safely on the shore*) Paul and those he was traveling with were safely brought to the island of Malta. **Brought safely through** might need to include who brought Paul and those safely to the island of Malta, which in this context it was God who brought them safely to Malta. The Lord shows kindness and mercy to all people. Translate **When we were brought safely through** to mean When God brought them safely through the storm. 
+27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven this way and that in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors thought that they were approaching some land. 28 They took soundings and found twenty fathoms;[^29] after a little while, they took more soundings and found fifteen fathoms. 29 They were afraid that we might crash on the rocks,[^30] so they lowered four anchors from the stern and prayed that morning would come soon.[^31] 30 The sailors were looking for a way to abandon the ship and had lowered the lifeboat into the sea, and pretended that they would throw down the anchors from the bow. 31 But Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved."[^32] 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and let it drift away. 33 When daylight was coming on, Paul urged them all to take some food. He said, "This day is the fourteenth day that you wait and do not eat; you have eaten nothing. 34 So I urge you to share some food, for this is necessary for you to survive.[^33] For not one of you will lose a single hair from his head."[^34] 35 When he had said this, he took bread and he thanked God in the sight of everyone. Then he broke the bread and began to eat.[^35] 36 Then they were all encouraged and they also took food.[^36] 37 We were 276 people in the ship. 38 When they had eaten enough, they made the ship lighter by throwing out the wheat into the sea.[^37] 39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a beach, and they discussed whether they could drive the ship onto it. 40 So they cut loose the anchors and left them in the sea. At the same time they loosed the ropes of the rudders and raised the foresail to the wind; and so they headed to the beach. 41 But they came to a place where two currents met, and the ship ran into the ground. The bow of the ship stuck there and remained unmovable, but the stern began to break up because of the waves' violence. 42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners so that none of them could swim away and escape.[^38] 43 But the centurion wanted to save Paul, so he stopped their plan;[^39] and he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.[^40] 44 Then the rest of the men should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship.[^41] In this way it happened that all of us came safely to land.[^42]
 
-[^ ]: **28:2** **The native people offered to us not just ordinary kindness** (**L**: *And the barbarians were offering no ordinary benevolence to us* | **S**: *The people who lived there took care of us very generously*) The people who lived on the island showed great kindness to Paul and those who were with him. **Not just ordinary kindness** means that the people showed extradorinaiy kindness. The church has a responsibility to be hospitable to outsiders. Translate **The native people offered to us not just ordinary kindness** to mean the people who lived on the island of Malta showed extraordinary kindness to Paul and the people with him. 
+[^29]: **27:28** **They took soundings and found twenty fathoms** (**L**: *And taking soundings, they found 20 fathoms* | **S**: *So the sailors lowered a rope with a weight on the end to measure how deep the water was. When they pulled the rope up again, they measured it and saw that the water was 40 meters deep*) As they continued on their journey for fourteen days the sailors of the ship took some measurements and found twenty fathoms. **Soundings** in this context refers to measuring the depth of the water. **Twenty fathoms** is a type of measurement which in this case means 40 meters or 120 feet. Translate **They took soundings and found twenty fathoms** to mean they measured the depth of the water to be 40 meters. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:2** **but they lit a fire and welcomed us all, because of the constant rain and cold** (**L**: *for, lighting a fire because of the impending rain and because of the cold, they welcomed us all* | **S**: *So they lit a fire and invited all of us to come and warm ourselves*) The people of the Island lit a fire and every one was welcomed. The people recognized that Paul and the people with him were wet and because of the constant rain and how cold it was, they lit a fire. **Constant** means that the rain did not stop and the temperature remained to be cold. The church needs to be able to receive acts of hospitality from others. Translate **but they lit a fire and welcomed us all, because of the constant rain and cold** to mean the people of the island lit a fire and welcomed everyone with Paul because of the rain that would not stop and it remained cold. 
+[^30]: **27:29** **They were afraid that we might crash on the rocks** (**L**: *fearing lest we might fall upon a rugged place somewhere* | **S**: *the sailors were afraid that the ship might crash onto some rocks*) The sailors were afraid that the ship would crash on some rocks. Paul had already told them the ship would crash. People are prone to question or prevent what the Lord has already determined.  Translate **They were afraid that we might crash on the rocks** to mean the people of the ship were afraid they might crash on some rocks. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:3** **Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and placed them on the fire** (**L**: *Paul had gathered a certain quantity of sticks and had placed them on the fire* | **S**: *Now Paul {was helping by} collecting a bundle of pieces of wood to burn*) Paul helped the people of the island by gathering sticks and placing them on the fire. **Bundle** in this context means a collection of sticks. When the church is on the receiving end of hospitality from others it puts Christians in a unique position to be of service to others. Translate **Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and placed them on the fire** to mean Paul had gathered a collection of sticks and put them on the fire. 
+[^31]: **27:29** **so they lowered four anchors from the stern and prayed that morning would come soon** (**L**: *having lowered four anchors from the stern, they were praying for day to come* | **S**: *So they threw four anchors into the water from the end of the ship. Then they prayed that it would soon become light*) In order to try and not crash the sailors lowered the four anchors from the stern and prayed that morning would come soon so the sailors could see what was happening. **Stern** is the term used to describe the back of the ship. Whenever people try to provide for their own salvation it only leads to death. Translate **so they lowered four anchors from the stern and prayed that morning would come soon** to mean that the sailors lowered the four anchors in the back of the ship and prayed that morning would come so they could see what was happening. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:4** **This man certainly is a murderer who escaped from the sea, yet justice does not permit him to live** (**L**: *This man is certainly a murderer, whom, having been saved from the sea, Justice has not permitted to live* | **S**: *This man has probably murdered someone. He has escaped from drowning in the sea. But the goddess Justice is punishing him anyway*) Paul was bit by a snake and the people responded that Paul must have been a murderer who escaped from the sea because he was bitten by the poisonous snake and would receive justice. **Certainly** means the people believed that Paul was absolutely a murderer. **Justice** refers to a false god who the people of this time believed would avenge crimes. Christians should always seek ministry opportunities even when people are not sure why Christians show hospitality. Translate **This man certainly is a murderer who escaped from the sea, yet justice does not permit him to live** to mean that they people of the island believed that Paul was absolutely a murderer who escaped a ship wreck but a false god justice would still not let him live.
+[^32]: **27:31** **Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved** (**L**: *If these do not stay in the ship, you are not able to be saved* | **S**: *If the sailors do not stay in the ship, you will not survive*) Paul told the centurion that the prisoners and centurion would not be saved unless the sailors stayed on the ship. **These men** refers to the sailors. True salvation and safety only comes from God. Translate **Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved** to mean unless the sailors stayed in the ship the centurion and the prisoners could not be saved. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:5** **But then he shook the animal into the fire and suffered no harm** (**L**: *Then he, shaking off the creature into the fire, suffered no harm* | **S**: *But Paul shook his hand hard so that the snake would fall off his hand and back into the fire. The snake fell off and Paul was not hurt at all*) After being bitten by the snake, Paul shook the snake into the fire and did not suffer any injury from the poisonous snake. **Animal** in this context refers to the poisonous snake that bit him. There are times when christians do not need to defend themselves when being falsely accused. Translate **But then he shook the animal into the fire and suffered no harm** to mean But Paul shook his hand so that the poisonous snake fell into the fire and Paul suffered no injury. 
+[^33]: **27:34** **So I urge you to share some food, for this is necessary for you to survive** (**L**: *I urge you to take food, for this is for your salvation* | **S**: *So now I urge you to eat some food, because you must do this to live*) Paul encouraged the people on the ship to share food with one another for they have not eaten in fourteen days and needed food to survive. **Share some food** means Paul wanted them to eat something. Christians are to act as hosts to outsiders as they go through the storms of life. Translate **So I urge you to share some food, for this is necessary for you to survive** to mean that Paul wanted the people on the ship to eat some food because it is necessary for them to eat in order to survive.
 
-[^ ]: **28:6** **They were waiting for him to become inflamed with a fever or to suddenly drop dead** (**L**: *they were expecting him to begin to be inflamed or suddenly to fall down dead* | **S**: *some of the people of the island expected that Paul’s body would soon swell up because of the snake bite. Others thought he would suddenly fall down and die*) The people were waiting for Paul to become inflamed or that he would suddenly die. **Inflamed with fever** means that Paul's body would start to swell. The Lord proves the innocence of his people. Translate **They were waiting for him to become inflamed with a fever or to suddenly drop dead** to mean the people were waiting for Paul to become swollen or to suddenly die. 
+[^34]: **27:34** **For not one of you will lose a single hair from his head** (**L**: *For a hair from the head of none of you will perish* | **S**: *The storm will not kill any of you{,but if you do not eat, you will die}*) Paul reminded them of God's word and told them that not one of them would die. Paul used this phrase to emphasize that that each person will survive with no harm, even a single hair would not be harmed. As Christians show hospitality to outsiders they should encourage them with God's word. Translate **For not one of you will lose a single hair from his head** to mean that each person on the ship would survive without suffering any harm. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:6** **they watched him for a long time and saw that nothing was unusual with him** (**L**: *But as they watched for a long time and saw nothing unusual happening to him* | **S**: *But they waited a long time and did not see either of those things happen to him*) The people watched him for a long time and saw that nothing happened to him. **Nothing unusual** means that Paul had not suffered any harm from the poisonous snake bite. Translate **they watched him for a long time and saw that nothing was unusual with him** to mean the people looked at Paul for a long time and realized that Paul had not suffered any harm from the poisonous snake bite. 
+[^35]: **27:35** **he took bread and he thanked God in the sight of everyone. Then he broke the bread and began to eat** (**L**: *having said this and having taken bread, he gave thanks to God before everyone* | **S**: *he took some bread and thanked God for it. Then he broke the bread into pieces and began to eat some of it*) Paul took the bread and thanked God in the sight of everyone. Paul then broke the bread and began to eat the bread. **In the sight of everyone** means all the people on board witnessed Paul giving thanks for the bread. Christians who show hospitality to strangers can use the opportunity to witness to them by giving thanks to God for what God has provided. Translate **he took bread and he thanked God in the sight of everyone. Then he broke the bread and began to eat** to mean that Paul took the bread and gave thanks to God in front of everyone on the ship. Paul then broke the bread into pieces and ate. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:6** **they changed their minds and said that he was a god** (**L**: *turning themselves around, they said he was a god* | **S**: *This man is not a murderer. He must be a god*) The people of the island changed their minds and now said that Paul was a god. **Changed their mind** means they no longer believed Paul was a murderer. The Lord can use false assumptions as an opportunity to minister to people. Translate **they changed their minds and said that he was a god** to mean that the people no longer believed he was a murderer but that he was a god. 
+[^36]: **27:36** **Then they were all encouraged and they also took food** (**L**: *And they were all encouraged and took food themselves* | **S**: *Then they all cheered up and ate some food*) What Paul said encouraged the people and they also took the food to eat. Faithful dependence upon God's word and worshipful fellowship proclaims the gospel. Translate **Then they were all encouraged and they also took food** to mean all the people on the ship were encouraged because of what Paul said and they also took food to eat. 
 
-7 Now in a nearby place there were lands belonging to the chief man of the island,[^] a man named Publius. He welcomed us and kindly provided for us for three days.[^] 8 It happened that the father of Publius had been made ill with a fever and dysentery.[^] When Paul went to him, he prayed, placed his hands on him, and healed him.[^] 9 After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who were sick also came and were healed.[^] 10 The people also honored us with many honors.[^] When we were preparing to sail, they gave us what we needed.[^]
+[^37]: **27:38** **When they had eaten enough, they made the ship lighter by throwing out the wheat into the sea** (**L**: *And having been satisfied with food, they were lightening the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea* | **S**: *When everyone had eaten enough, the sailors made the ship lighter by throwing the rest of the wheat into the water*) After they all had eaten enough they took the wheat that was on board and threw it into the sea to make the ship lighter. **Wheat** is a type of grain that would be used to make bread. Christian hospitality to strangers can demonstrate a heart of contentment. Translate **When they had eaten enough, they made the ship lighter by throwing out the wheat into the sea** to mean when they ate enough they made the ship lighter by throwing the wheat on the ship into the sea.
 
-[^ ]: **28:7** **Now in a nearby place there were lands belonging to the chief man of the island** (**L**: *Now in the {areas} around that place were lands of the first of the island, Publius by name* | **S**: *Now the people of the island had built the fire near some fields that belonged to a man whose name was Publius. He was the chief official on the island*) In a place nearby where the fire was built by the people, there was land that belonged to the chief of the Island. **Lands** could also be referring to fields. Receiving hospitality opens up opportunities for ministry. Translate **Now in a nearby place there were lands belonging to the chief man of the island** to mean that in a place nearby the fire that was built by the people, there was land belonging to the chief man of the island. 
+[^38]: **27:42** **The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners so that none of them could swim away and escape** (**L**: *Now the plan of the soldiers was that they would kill the prisoners, lest any, swimming away, might escape* | **S**: *The soldiers wanted to kill all the prisoners so that none of them could swim away and escape*) The ship was finally close to shore but as Paul said the ship hit a reef and was no longer able to sail. The plan of the soldiers was to kill the prisoners so that none of them could escape. Nothing can change what God has planned. Translate **The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners so that none of them could swim away and escape** to mean the soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners so that none of them could swim away and escape. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:7** **He welcomed us and kindly provided for us for three days** (**L**: *welcoming us, kindly entertained us for three days* | **S**: *He invited us to come and stay in his home. He took very good care of us for three days*) The chief of the island also welcomed Paul and the others with him. The chief provided for them for three days. **Kindly provided** means the chief man was willingly providing for Paul and the people with him. Christians can be on the receiving end of hospitality. Translate **He welcomed us and kindly provided for us for three days** to mean The chief man of the island willingly welcomed Paul and the others and provided for them for three days. 
+[^39]: **27:43** **But the centurion wanted to save Paul, so he stopped their plan** (**L**: *But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, stopped their plan* | **S**: *But the Roman officer wanted to save Paul*) The centurion wanted to save Paul so the Centurion stopped the soldiers from killing the prisoners. **Their plan** refers to the plan of the soldiers to kill the prisoners. Christians trust in the salvation that comes from God. Translate **But the centurion wanted to save Paul, so he stopped their plan** to mean the centurion wanted to save Paul so he stopped the soldiers from killing the prisoners. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:8** **the father of Publius had been made ill with a fever and dysentery** (**L**: *the father of Publius was lying sick, being afflicted with fevers and dysentery* | **S**: *At that time Publius’ father had fever and a stomach illness*) The father of the chief man of the island had gotten sick with a fever and a stomach illness. **Publius** was the name of the chief man of the island. **Dysentery** means an infectious disease found in the intestines. The Lord creates the opportunity for ministry when Christians graciously receive hospitality from others. Translate **the father of Publius had been made ill with a fever and dysentery** to mean The father of the chief man of the island had become ill with a fever and a disease that infects the intestines. 
+[^40]: **27:43** **and he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land** (**L**: *he commanded the ones being able to swim to depart first to the land, jumping overboard* | **S**: *Instead, he commanded everyone who could swim to jump off the ship first into the water and swim to shore*) The centurion took the lead and made those who can swim jump off the ship first and swim to land. **Jump overboard** means the people would jump off the ship. Translate **and he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land** to mean the centurion first ordered those who could swim to jump off the ship and swim to land. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:8** **When Paul went to him, he prayed, placed his hands on him, and healed him** (**L**: *o whom having gone in and having prayed, having placed {his} hands on him, Paul healed him* | **S**: *So Paul visited him and prayed for him. Then Paul placed his hands on him and healed him*) Paul went to Publius' father and prayed for him. Paul put his hands on him and healed him. Christians must recognize the opportunity for gospel proclamation that comes through the practice of hospitality. Translate **When Paul went to him, he prayed, placed his hands on him, and healed him** to mean Paul went to Publius' father and prayed over, put his hands on him, and healed him. 
+[^41]: **27:44** **Then the rest of the men should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship** (**L**: *the rest, some on planks, and some on certain things from the ship* | **S**: *Then he told the ones who could not swim to hold onto something that would float and drift toward the shore*) The rest of the men on the ship should follow and use planks or other things from the ship. **Rest of the men** in this case was those who could not swim and they were to also jump off the ship. **Planks** are wooden boards that float. Christians should focus on seeing the community thrive rather than just themselves. Translate **Then the rest of the men should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship** to mean then those who could not swim should follow and jump off the ship. They should use wooden boards that float and other things from the ship to help them get to land. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:9** **After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who were sick also came and were healed** (**L**: *And this having happened, the others on the island having sicknesses were also coming and being healed* | **S**: *After Paul healed Publius’ father, the rest of the people on the island who were sick came to him and he healed them too*) After Paul healed Publius' father, the rest of the people who were sick came to Paul and Paul healed them. **After this happened** refers to Paul healing Publius' father. Christians use the opportunity of hospitality to care for people. Translate **After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who were sick also came and were healed** to mean After Paul healed Publius' father, the rest of the people on the island who were sick came to Paul and were healed. 
+[^42]: **27:44** **In this way it happened that all of us came safely to land** (**L**: *in this way it happened that all were brought safely to the land* | **S**: *We did what he said, and in that way all of us made it safely to the shore*) Because of God being faithful to his word all of the people on the ship came safely to land. **In this way it happened** is a reference to how it was described previously on how they would get to the land. Christians can exemplify true community that lives in the care of God's protecting presence. Translate **In this way it happened that all of us came safely to land** to mean Because they followed the plan of the centurion all the people of the ship made it to land without any injuries. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:10** **The people also honored us with many honors** (**L**: *They also honored us with many honors* | **S**: *The island people also brought us gifts and showed in other ways that they greatly respected us*) The people of the island honored Paul and those who were with him with honors. **With many honors** the people gave many gifts to Paul and the people with him. When Christians are connected to the community in which they live, there can be the opportunity for the reception of gifts from those they serve. Translate **The people also honored us with many honors** to mean the people of the island honored Paul and those with him by giving them many gifts. 
+28:1 When we were brought safely through,[^43] we learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The native people offered to us not just ordinary kindness,[^44] but they lit a fire and welcomed us all, because of the constant rain and cold.[^45] 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and placed them on the fire,[^46] a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened onto his hand. 4 When the native people saw the animal hanging from his hand, they said one to another, "This man certainly is a murderer who escaped from the sea, yet justice does not permit him to live."[^47] 5 But then he shook the animal into the fire and suffered no harm.[^48] 6 They were waiting for him to become inflamed with a fever or to suddenly drop dead.[^49] But after they watched him for a long time and saw that nothing was unusual with him,[^50] they changed their minds and said that he was a god.[^51]
 
-[^ ]: **28:10** **When we were preparing to sail, they gave us what we needed** (**L**: *they gave to us as we were putting to sea the things for {our} needs* | **S**: *Later on, when we were ready to leave, they brought us food and other things that we would need on the ship*) The people continued to show hospitality to Paul and those who were with him. As they prepared to sail, the people of the island gave them what they needed. **Sail** here means to continue the journey. Finding temporary care in the resources of others might offer Christians the opportunity to minister to the hosts' spiritual needs. Translate **When we were preparing to sail, they gave us what we needed** to mean when Paul and those with him were continuing thier journey and ready to set sail, the people of the island gave them what they needed.
+[^43]: **28:1** **When we were brought safely through** (**L**: *And having been brought safely through* | **S**: *After we had arrived safely on the shore*) Paul and those he was traveling with were safely brought to the island of Malta. **Brought safely through** might need to include who brought Paul and those safely to the island of Malta, which in this context it was God who brought them safely to Malta. The Lord shows kindness and mercy to all people. Translate **When we were brought safely through** to mean When God brought them safely through the storm. 
 
-11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had spent the winter at the island,[^] a ship of Alexandria, with "the twin gods" as it figurehead.[^] 12 After we landed at the city of Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 13 From there we sailed and arrived at the city of Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up,[^] and in two days we came to the city of Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days.[^] In this way we came to Rome.[^] 15 From there the brothers, after they heard about us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns.[^] When Paul saw the brothers, he thanked God and took courage.[^]
+[^44]: **28:2** **The native people offered to us not just ordinary kindness** (**L**: *And the barbarians were offering no ordinary benevolence to us* | **S**: *The people who lived there took care of us very generously*) The people who lived on the island showed great kindness to Paul and those who were with him. **Not just ordinary kindness** means that the people showed extradorinaiy kindness. The church has a responsibility to be hospitable to outsiders. Translate **The native people offered to us not just ordinary kindness** to mean the people who lived on the island of Malta showed extraordinary kindness to Paul and the people with him. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:11** **After three months we set sail in a ship that had spent the winter at the island** (**L**: *And after three months, we put to sea...having wintered at the island* | **S**: *We stayed on Malta for a total of three months. Then we left on a ship that had spent the winter there*) After spending three months on the island of Malta Paul and the others set sail in a ship that had spent all winter at the island. **Spent the winter** means that the ship was in good condition. The Lord provides for his people as they proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Translate **After three months we set sail in a ship that had spent the winter at the island** to mean
+[^45]: **28:2** **but they lit a fire and welcomed us all, because of the constant rain and cold** (**L**: *for, lighting a fire because of the impending rain and because of the cold, they welcomed us all* | **S**: *So they lit a fire and invited all of us to come and warm ourselves*) The people of the Island lit a fire and every one was welcomed. The people recognized that Paul and the people with him were wet and because of the constant rain and how cold it was, they lit a fire. **Constant** means that the rain did not stop and the temperature remained to be cold. The church needs to be able to receive acts of hospitality from others. Translate **but they lit a fire and welcomed us all, because of the constant rain and cold** to mean the people of the island lit a fire and welcomed everyone with Paul because of the rain that would not stop and it remained cold. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:11** **a ship of Alexandria, with "the twin gods" as it figurehead** (**L**: *an Alexandrian ship with a Dioscouri figurehead* | **S**: *The ship was from Alexandria and was going to Italy. On the front of the ship there were carved images of the twin gods whose names were Castor and Pollux*) The ship was from Alexandria and had two gods as its figurehead. **Twin gods** refers to two gods named Castor and Pollux who the sailors considered to be the gods who would watch over them. **Figurehead** was an image of a god, human being, animal, or object that was painted or sculpted on the prow (front) of a ship as a good luck token. Translate **a ship of Alexandria, with "the twin gods" as it figurehead** to mean the ship was from Alexandria and had the figures of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 
+[^46]: **28:3** **Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and placed them on the fire** (**L**: *Paul had gathered a certain quantity of sticks and had placed them on the fire* | **S**: *Now Paul {was helping by} collecting a bundle of pieces of wood to burn*) Paul helped the people of the island by gathering sticks and placing them on the fire. **Bundle** in this context means a collection of sticks. When the church is on the receiving end of hospitality from others it puts Christians in a unique position to be of service to others. Translate **Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and placed them on the fire** to mean Paul had gathered a collection of sticks and put them on the fire. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:13** **After one day a south wind sprang up** (**L**: *after one day, a south wind having occurred* | **S**: *The next day, the wind began to blow from the south*) After a day of sailing the south wind began to blow. **South wind** means wind from the south. **Sprang up** means the wind began to blow. Translate **After one day a south wind sprang up** to mean after one day a wind began to blow from the south. 
+[^47]: **28:4** **This man certainly is a murderer who escaped from the sea, yet justice does not permit him to live** (**L**: *This man is certainly a murderer, whom, having been saved from the sea, Justice has not permitted to live* | **S**: *This man has probably murdered someone. He has escaped from drowning in the sea. But the goddess Justice is punishing him anyway*) Paul was bit by a snake and the people responded that Paul must have been a murderer who escaped from the sea because he was bitten by the poisonous snake and would receive justice. **Certainly** means the people believed that Paul was absolutely a murderer. **Justice** refers to a false god who the people of this time believed would avenge crimes. Christians should always seek ministry opportunities even when people are not sure why Christians show hospitality. Translate **This man certainly is a murderer who escaped from the sea, yet justice does not permit him to live** to mean that they people of the island believed that Paul was absolutely a murderer who escaped a ship wreck but a false god justice would still not let him live.
 
-[^ ]: **28:14** **There we found some brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days** (**L**: *where, having found brothers, we were begged to stay with them for seven days* | **S**: *In Puteoli we met some fellow believers who asked us to stay with them for seven days*) The wind directed them to Puteoli where they found other Christians who invited them to stay with them for seven days. **Brothers** in this context means Christians. Although Christians from other cultures may be seen as outsiders the reality is all believers are one community.  Translate **There we found some brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days** to mean that in Puteoli they found believers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. 
+[^48]: **28:5** **But then he shook the animal into the fire and suffered no harm** (**L**: *Then he, shaking off the creature into the fire, suffered no harm* | **S**: *But Paul shook his hand hard so that the snake would fall off his hand and back into the fire. The snake fell off and Paul was not hurt at all*) After being bitten by the snake, Paul shook the snake into the fire and did not suffer any injury from the poisonous snake. **Animal** in this context refers to the poisonous snake that bit him. There are times when christians do not need to defend themselves when being falsely accused. Translate **But then he shook the animal into the fire and suffered no harm** to mean But Paul shook his hand so that the poisonous snake fell into the fire and Paul suffered no injury. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:14** **In this way we came to Rome** (**L**: *thus we went towards Rome* | **S**: *After that, we continued on to Rome*) Paul and those with him came to Rome after Puteoli. The Lord was faithful to his word and they all made it Rome. The Lord is faithful to his word. Translate **In this way we came to Rome** to mean Paul and those with him continued on their journey after Puteoli and made it to Rome. 
+[^49]: **28:6** **They were waiting for him to become inflamed with a fever or to suddenly drop dead** (**L**: *they were expecting him to begin to be inflamed or suddenly to fall down dead* | **S**: *some of the people of the island expected that Paul’s body would soon swell up because of the snake bite. Others thought he would suddenly fall down and die*) The people were waiting for Paul to become inflamed or that he would suddenly die. **Inflamed with fever** means that Paul's body would start to swell. The Lord proves the innocence of his people. Translate **They were waiting for him to become inflamed with a fever or to suddenly drop dead** to mean the people were waiting for Paul to become swollen or to suddenly die. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:15** **From there the brothers, after they heard about us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns** (**L**: *From there, the brothers, having heard the things about us, came to a meeting with us as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns* | **S**: *Some fellow believers in Rome had heard that we were coming and they came to meet us. Some of them met us at the place on the Appian Road whose name was the Market*) From there after the other Christians heard about Paul they came to meet them as far as the market of Appius and the The Three Taverns. **The Market of Appius** was a market on the main road to Rome. **Three Taverns** was the name of an inn on that road to Rome. Translate **From there the brothers, after they heard about us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns** to mean that some of the believers in Rome heard about Paul and those who were with him came to meet them at the main market on the road to Rome and one of the inns named Three Tavern.
+[^50]: **28:6** **they watched him for a long time and saw that nothing was unusual with him** (**L**: *But as they watched for a long time and saw nothing unusual happening to him* | **S**: *But they waited a long time and did not see either of those things happen to him*) The people watched him for a long time and saw that nothing happened to him. **Nothing unusual** means that Paul had not suffered any harm from the poisonous snake bite. Translate **they watched him for a long time and saw that nothing was unusual with him** to mean the people looked at Paul for a long time and realized that Paul had not suffered any harm from the poisonous snake bite. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:15** **When Paul saw the brothers, he thanked God and took courage** (**L**: *whom seeing, Paul, thanking God, took courage* | **S**: *When Paul saw those believers, he thanked God and felt brave*) When Paul saw the believers he thanked God and took courage. **Took courage** means that Paul was encouraged. Christians should consider how they can open up their community life to care for believers from other parts of the world. Translate **When Paul saw the brothers, he thanked God and took courage** to mean that when Paul saw the other believers he thanked God and was encouraged.
+[^51]: **28:6** **they changed their minds and said that he was a god** (**L**: *turning themselves around, they said he was a god* | **S**: *This man is not a murderer. He must be a god*) The people of the island changed their minds and now said that Paul was a god. **Changed their mind** means they no longer believed Paul was a murderer. The Lord can use false assumptions as an opportunity to minister to people. Translate **they changed their minds and said that he was a god** to mean that the people no longer believed he was a murderer but that he was a god. 
 
-16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who was guarding him.[^]
+7 Now in a nearby place there were lands belonging to the chief man of the island,[^52] a man named Publius. He welcomed us and kindly provided for us for three days.[^53] 8 It happened that the father of Publius had been made ill with a fever and dysentery.[^54] When Paul went to him, he prayed, placed his hands on him, and healed him.[^55] 9 After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who were sick also came and were healed.[^56] 10 The people also honored us with many honors.[^57] When we were preparing to sail, they gave us what we needed.[^58]
 
-[^ ]: **28:16** **Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who was guarding him** (**L**: *Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier guarding him* | **S**: *After we arrived in Rome, the authorities there permitted Paul to live in a home rather than in prison. But a soldier was always there to guard him*) Paul was shown great hospitality as a prisoner and was given his own place to live by himself with a soldier who was guarding him. As the Lord graciously provides for our needs we should be stewards and be hospitable. Translate **Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who was guarding him** to mean Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who was guarding him. 
+[^52]: **28:7** **Now in a nearby place there were lands belonging to the chief man of the island** (**L**: *Now in the {areas} around that place were lands of the first of the island, Publius by name* | **S**: *Now the people of the island had built the fire near some fields that belonged to a man whose name was Publius. He was the chief official on the island*) In a place nearby where the fire was built by the people, there was land that belonged to the chief of the Island. **Lands** could also be referring to fields. Receiving hospitality opens up opportunities for ministry. Translate **Now in a nearby place there were lands belonging to the chief man of the island** to mean that in a place nearby the fire that was built by the people, there was land belonging to the chief man of the island. 
 
-17 Then it came about that after three days Paul called together those men who were the leaders among the Jews.[^] When they had come together, he said to them, "Brothers, although I have done nothing wrong against the people or the customs of our fathers, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.[^] 18 After they questioned me, they wished to set me free, because there was no reason in me for a death penalty.[^] 19 But when the Jews spoke against their desire, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, although it is not as if I were bringing any accusation against my nation.[^] 20 Because of my appeal, then, I have asked to see you and to speak with you. It is because of the certain hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."[^] 21 Then they said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea about you,[^] nor did any of the brothers come and report or say anything bad about you.[^] 22 But we want to hear from you what you think about this sect,[^] because it is known by us that it is spoken against everywhere."[^]
+[^53]: **28:7** **He welcomed us and kindly provided for us for three days** (**L**: *welcoming us, kindly entertained us for three days* | **S**: *He invited us to come and stay in his home. He took very good care of us for three days*) The chief of the island also welcomed Paul and the others with him. The chief provided for them for three days. **Kindly provided** means the chief man was willingly providing for Paul and the people with him. Christians can be on the receiving end of hospitality. Translate **He welcomed us and kindly provided for us for three days** to mean The chief man of the island willingly welcomed Paul and the others and provided for them for three days. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:17** **Paul called together those men who were the leaders among the Jews** (**L**: *he called together the ones being first among the Jews* | **S**: *Now after Paul had been in Rome for three days, he sent a message to the Jewish leaders to come and talk with him*) Paul called together the Jewish leaders who were in Rome. **Called together** means Paul asked the Jewish leaders to come to the place he was living. Christians should use unideal situations to invite others to share the gospel.  Translate **Paul called together those men who were the leaders among the Jews** to mean Paul asked the Jewish leaders in Rome to come to the place where he was staying. 
+[^54]: **28:8** **the father of Publius had been made ill with a fever and dysentery** (**L**: *the father of Publius was lying sick, being afflicted with fevers and dysentery* | **S**: *At that time Publius’ father had fever and a stomach illness*) The father of the chief man of the island had gotten sick with a fever and a stomach illness. **Publius** was the name of the chief man of the island. **Dysentery** means an infectious disease found in the intestines. The Lord creates the opportunity for ministry when Christians graciously receive hospitality from others. Translate **the father of Publius had been made ill with a fever and dysentery** to mean The father of the chief man of the island had become ill with a fever and a disease that infects the intestines. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:17** **I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans** (**L**: *I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans* | **S**: *I have not opposed our people or spoken against the customs of our ancestors. {But some Jews in Jerusalem seized me and tried to kill me. A Roman commander rescued me and later} sent me as a prisoner to the city of Caesarea so that the Roman authorities could put me on trial*) Paul shares with the Jewish leaders that he was a prisoner in the hands of the Romans from Jerusalem. **Into the hands** means that Romans were in charge of Paul. The Lord uses our unfortunate circumstances to proclaim the gospel.  Translate **I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans** to mean that Paul told the Jewish leaders he was a prisoner of the Romans from Jerusalem. 
+[^55]: **28:8** **When Paul went to him, he prayed, placed his hands on him, and healed him** (**L**: *o whom having gone in and having prayed, having placed {his} hands on him, Paul healed him* | **S**: *So Paul visited him and prayed for him. Then Paul placed his hands on him and healed him*) Paul went to Publius' father and prayed for him. Paul put his hands on him and healed him. Christians must recognize the opportunity for gospel proclamation that comes through the practice of hospitality. Translate **When Paul went to him, he prayed, placed his hands on him, and healed him** to mean Paul went to Publius' father and prayed over, put his hands on him, and healed him. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:18** **they wished to set me free, because there was no reason in me for a death penalty.** (**L**: *were intending to release me because there was no reason in me for death* | **S**: *The Roman authorities questioned me and wanted to release me because I had not done any bad thing for which I should be executed*) Paul continues and tells them that the Romans wanted to set him free because there was no reason for him to face the death penalty. **No reason in me** means that they believed Paul was not guilty of committing a crime. Even when Christians are treated unjustly the Lord can use that as an opportunity to proclaim the gospel. Translate **they wished to set me free, because there was no reason in me for a death penalty.** to mean Paul told the Jewish leaders that the Romans wanted to free him because they did not believe he committed a crime. 
+[^56]: **28:9** **After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who were sick also came and were healed** (**L**: *And this having happened, the others on the island having sicknesses were also coming and being healed* | **S**: *After Paul healed Publius’ father, the rest of the people on the island who were sick came to him and he healed them too*) After Paul healed Publius' father, the rest of the people who were sick came to Paul and Paul healed them. **After this happened** refers to Paul healing Publius' father. Christians use the opportunity of hospitality to care for people. Translate **After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who were sick also came and were healed** to mean After Paul healed Publius' father, the rest of the people on the island who were sick came to Paul and were healed. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:19** **although it is not as if I were bringing any accusation against my nation** (**L**: *not as if having anything {of which} to accuse my nation* | **S**: *But I did not do that because I wanted to accuse our leaders of doing anything wrong*) Because the Jews objected to what the Romans decided, Paul made an appeal to Caesar but not bring any accusation against his nation. **My nation** means the people group Paul was from. Christians do not bring false accusations against people. Translate **although it is not as if I were bringing any accusation against my nation** to mean Paul did not appeal to Caesar to bring accusations against the people where he was from. 
+[^57]: **28:10** **The people also honored us with many honors** (**L**: *They also honored us with many honors* | **S**: *The island people also brought us gifts and showed in other ways that they greatly respected us*) The people of the island honored Paul and those who were with him with honors. **With many honors** the people gave many gifts to Paul and the people with him. When Christians are connected to the community in which they live, there can be the opportunity for the reception of gifts from those they serve. Translate **The people also honored us with many honors** to mean the people of the island honored Paul and those with him by giving them many gifts. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:20** **It is because of the certain hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain** (**L**: *For on account of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain* | **S**: *I asked you to come here so that I could tell you why I am a prisoner. It is because I believe in what we Jews confidently expect that God will do for us*) Paul argued that the reason he was in chains is because of the certain hope of Israel. **The certain hope of Israel** refers to the coming of the Messiah and Paul knew it was Jesus Christ. The church has a duty to announce the gospel to all peoples. Translate **It is because of the certain hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain** to mean that Paul was in chains because of the Messiah. 
+[^58]: **28:10** **When we were preparing to sail, they gave us what we needed** (**L**: *they gave to us as we were putting to sea the things for {our} needs* | **S**: *Later on, when we were ready to leave, they brought us food and other things that we would need on the ship*) The people continued to show hospitality to Paul and those who were with him. As they prepared to sail, the people of the island gave them what they needed. **Sail** here means to continue the journey. Finding temporary care in the resources of others might offer Christians the opportunity to minister to the hosts' spiritual needs. Translate **When we were preparing to sail, they gave us what we needed** to mean when Paul and those with him were continuing thier journey and ready to set sail, the people of the island gave them what they needed.
 
-[^ ]: **28:21** **We neither received letters from Judea about you** (**L**: *We have not received letters from Judea about you* | **S**: *We have not received any letters from our fellow Jews in Judea about you*) The Jewish leaders responded to Paul and told him that did not receive letters from Judea about him. **Received letters** refers to the Jewish leaders receiving letters that said Paul did anything wrong. Translate **We neither received letters from Judea about you** to mean that the Jewish leaders in Rome did not receive any letters that said Paul did anything wrong. 
+11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had spent the winter at the island,[^59] a ship of Alexandria, with "the twin gods" as it figurehead.[^60] 12 After we landed at the city of Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 13 From there we sailed and arrived at the city of Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up,[^61] and in two days we came to the city of Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days.[^62] In this way we came to Rome.[^63] 15 From there the brothers, after they heard about us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns.[^64] When Paul saw the brothers, he thanked God and took courage.[^65]
 
-[^ ]: **28:21** **nor did any of the brothers come and report or say anything bad about you** (**L**: *nor have any of the brothers, coming, reported or said anything evil about you* | **S**: *And none of our fellow Jews who have come here from Judea have said anything bad about you*) Likewise none of the other Jewish leaders from Judea came and reported anything bad about Paul. Translate **nor did any of the brothers come and report or say anything bad about you** to mean the Jewish leaders in Judea did not send anyone to go and report bad about Paul. 
+[^59]: **28:11** **After three months we set sail in a ship that had spent the winter at the island** (**L**: *And after three months, we put to sea...having wintered at the island* | **S**: *We stayed on Malta for a total of three months. Then we left on a ship that had spent the winter there*) After spending three months on the island of Malta Paul and the others set sail in a ship that had spent all winter at the island. **Spent the winter** means that the ship was in good condition. The Lord provides for his people as they proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Translate **After three months we set sail in a ship that had spent the winter at the island** to mean
 
-[^ ]: **28:22** **But we want to hear from you what you think about this sect** (**L**: *But we value to hear from you what you think, for concerning this sect* | **S**: *But we would appreciate you telling us what you think about this group that you belong to*) But the Jewish leaders insisted that they wanted to hear from Paul about the sect. **The sect** is a reference to those who followed Jesus Christ and believed he was the Messiah. Christians must be bold in proclaiming the Gospel. Translate **But we want to hear from you what you think about this sect** to mean that the Jewish leaders Paul invited to the place he was staying wanted to hear from him about those who follow Jesus Christ. 
+[^60]: **28:11** **a ship of Alexandria, with "the twin gods" as it figurehead** (**L**: *an Alexandrian ship with a Dioscouri figurehead* | **S**: *The ship was from Alexandria and was going to Italy. On the front of the ship there were carved images of the twin gods whose names were Castor and Pollux*) The ship was from Alexandria and had two gods as its figurehead. **Twin gods** refers to two gods named Castor and Pollux who the sailors considered to be the gods who would watch over them. **Figurehead** was an image of a god, human being, animal, or object that was painted or sculpted on the prow (front) of a ship as a good luck token. Translate **a ship of Alexandria, with "the twin gods" as it figurehead** to mean the ship was from Alexandria and had the figures of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:22** **because it is known by us that it is spoken against everywhere** (**L**: *it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere* | **S**: *because we are aware that in many places people are speaking against it*) The Jewish leaders were informed that following Jesus Christ was spoken against it every place. **Spoken against** means people were saying that following Jesus is not the right thing to do. Translate **because it is known by us that it is spoken against everywhere** to mean that people in many places were speaking against Jesus. 
+[^61]: **28:13** **After one day a south wind sprang up** (**L**: *after one day, a south wind having occurred* | **S**: *The next day, the wind began to blow from the south*) After a day of sailing the south wind began to blow. **South wind** means wind from the south. **Sprang up** means the wind began to blow. Translate **After one day a south wind sprang up** to mean after one day a wind began to blow from the south. 
 
-23 When they had set a day for him, more people came to him at his dwelling place.[^] He presented the matter to them, and testified about the kingdom of God.[^] He tried to persuade them about Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.[^] 24 Some were convinced about the things which were said, while others did not believe.[^] 25 When they did not agree with one another,[^] they left after Paul had spoken this one word, "The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers.[^] 26 He said, 'Go to this people and say,
+[^62]: **28:14** **There we found some brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days** (**L**: *where, having found brothers, we were begged to stay with them for seven days* | **S**: *In Puteoli we met some fellow believers who asked us to stay with them for seven days*) The wind directed them to Puteoli where they found other Christians who invited them to stay with them for seven days. **Brothers** in this context means Christians. Although Christians from other cultures may be seen as outsiders the reality is all believers are one community.  Translate **There we found some brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days** to mean that in Puteoli they found believers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. 
 
-"By hearing you will hear, but not understand; and seeing you will see, but will not perceive.[^] 27 For the heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they hardly hear, and they have shut their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn again,
+[^63]: **28:14** **In this way we came to Rome** (**L**: *thus we went towards Rome* | **S**: *After that, we continued on to Rome*) Paul and those with him came to Rome after Puteoli. The Lord was faithful to his word and they all made it Rome. The Lord is faithful to his word. Translate **In this way we came to Rome** to mean Paul and those with him continued on their journey after Puteoli and made it to Rome. 
+
+[^64]: **28:15** **From there the brothers, after they heard about us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns** (**L**: *From there, the brothers, having heard the things about us, came to a meeting with us as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns* | **S**: *Some fellow believers in Rome had heard that we were coming and they came to meet us. Some of them met us at the place on the Appian Road whose name was the Market*) From there after the other Christians heard about Paul they came to meet them as far as the market of Appius and the The Three Taverns. **The Market of Appius** was a market on the main road to Rome. **Three Taverns** was the name of an inn on that road to Rome. Translate **From there the brothers, after they heard about us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns** to mean that some of the believers in Rome heard about Paul and those who were with him came to meet them at the main market on the road to Rome and one of the inns named Three Tavern.
+
+[^65]: **28:15** **When Paul saw the brothers, he thanked God and took courage** (**L**: *whom seeing, Paul, thanking God, took courage* | **S**: *When Paul saw those believers, he thanked God and felt brave*) When Paul saw the believers he thanked God and took courage. **Took courage** means that Paul was encouraged. Christians should consider how they can open up their community life to care for believers from other parts of the world. Translate **When Paul saw the brothers, he thanked God and took courage** to mean that when Paul saw the other believers he thanked God and was encouraged.
+
+16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who was guarding him.[^66]
+
+[^66]: **28:16** **Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who was guarding him** (**L**: *Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier guarding him* | **S**: *After we arrived in Rome, the authorities there permitted Paul to live in a home rather than in prison. But a soldier was always there to guard him*) Paul was shown great hospitality as a prisoner and was given his own place to live by himself with a soldier who was guarding him. As the Lord graciously provides for our needs we should be stewards and be hospitable. Translate **Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who was guarding him** to mean Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who was guarding him. 
+
+17 Then it came about that after three days Paul called together those men who were the leaders among the Jews.[^67] When they had come together, he said to them, "Brothers, although I have done nothing wrong against the people or the customs of our fathers, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.[^68] 18 After they questioned me, they wished to set me free, because there was no reason in me for a death penalty.[^69] 19 But when the Jews spoke against their desire, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, although it is not as if I were bringing any accusation against my nation.[^70] 20 Because of my appeal, then, I have asked to see you and to speak with you. It is because of the certain hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."[^71] 21 Then they said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea about you,[^72] nor did any of the brothers come and report or say anything bad about you.[^73] 22 But we want to hear from you what you think about this sect,[^74] because it is known by us that it is spoken against everywhere."[^75]
+
+[^67]: **28:17** **Paul called together those men who were the leaders among the Jews** (**L**: *he called together the ones being first among the Jews* | **S**: *Now after Paul had been in Rome for three days, he sent a message to the Jewish leaders to come and talk with him*) Paul called together the Jewish leaders who were in Rome. **Called together** means Paul asked the Jewish leaders to come to the place he was living. Christians should use unideal situations to invite others to share the gospel.  Translate **Paul called together those men who were the leaders among the Jews** to mean Paul asked the Jewish leaders in Rome to come to the place where he was staying. 
+
+[^68]: **28:17** **I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans** (**L**: *I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans* | **S**: *I have not opposed our people or spoken against the customs of our ancestors. {But some Jews in Jerusalem seized me and tried to kill me. A Roman commander rescued me and later} sent me as a prisoner to the city of Caesarea so that the Roman authorities could put me on trial*) Paul shares with the Jewish leaders that he was a prisoner in the hands of the Romans from Jerusalem. **Into the hands** means that Romans were in charge of Paul. The Lord uses our unfortunate circumstances to proclaim the gospel.  Translate **I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans** to mean that Paul told the Jewish leaders he was a prisoner of the Romans from Jerusalem. 
+
+[^69]: **28:18** **they wished to set me free, because there was no reason in me for a death penalty.** (**L**: *were intending to release me because there was no reason in me for death* | **S**: *The Roman authorities questioned me and wanted to release me because I had not done any bad thing for which I should be executed*) Paul continues and tells them that the Romans wanted to set him free because there was no reason for him to face the death penalty. **No reason in me** means that they believed Paul was not guilty of committing a crime. Even when Christians are treated unjustly the Lord can use that as an opportunity to proclaim the gospel. Translate **they wished to set me free, because there was no reason in me for a death penalty.** to mean Paul told the Jewish leaders that the Romans wanted to free him because they did not believe he committed a crime. 
+
+[^70]: **28:19** **although it is not as if I were bringing any accusation against my nation** (**L**: *not as if having anything {of which} to accuse my nation* | **S**: *But I did not do that because I wanted to accuse our leaders of doing anything wrong*) Because the Jews objected to what the Romans decided, Paul made an appeal to Caesar but not bring any accusation against his nation. **My nation** means the people group Paul was from. Christians do not bring false accusations against people. Translate **although it is not as if I were bringing any accusation against my nation** to mean Paul did not appeal to Caesar to bring accusations against the people where he was from. 
+
+[^71]: **28:20** **It is because of the certain hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain** (**L**: *For on account of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain* | **S**: *I asked you to come here so that I could tell you why I am a prisoner. It is because I believe in what we Jews confidently expect that God will do for us*) Paul argued that the reason he was in chains is because of the certain hope of Israel. **The certain hope of Israel** refers to the coming of the Messiah and Paul knew it was Jesus Christ. The church has a duty to announce the gospel to all peoples. Translate **It is because of the certain hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain** to mean that Paul was in chains because of the Messiah. 
+
+[^72]: **28:21** **We neither received letters from Judea about you** (**L**: *We have not received letters from Judea about you* | **S**: *We have not received any letters from our fellow Jews in Judea about you*) The Jewish leaders responded to Paul and told him that did not receive letters from Judea about him. **Received letters** refers to the Jewish leaders receiving letters that said Paul did anything wrong. Translate **We neither received letters from Judea about you** to mean that the Jewish leaders in Rome did not receive any letters that said Paul did anything wrong. 
+
+[^73]: **28:21** **nor did any of the brothers come and report or say anything bad about you** (**L**: *nor have any of the brothers, coming, reported or said anything evil about you* | **S**: *And none of our fellow Jews who have come here from Judea have said anything bad about you*) Likewise none of the other Jewish leaders from Judea came and reported anything bad about Paul. Translate **nor did any of the brothers come and report or say anything bad about you** to mean the Jewish leaders in Judea did not send anyone to go and report bad about Paul. 
+
+[^74]: **28:22** **But we want to hear from you what you think about this sect** (**L**: *But we value to hear from you what you think, for concerning this sect* | **S**: *But we would appreciate you telling us what you think about this group that you belong to*) But the Jewish leaders insisted that they wanted to hear from Paul about the sect. **The sect** is a reference to those who followed Jesus Christ and believed he was the Messiah. Christians must be bold in proclaiming the Gospel. Translate **But we want to hear from you what you think about this sect** to mean that the Jewish leaders Paul invited to the place he was staying wanted to hear from him about those who follow Jesus Christ. 
+
+[^75]: **28:22** **because it is known by us that it is spoken against everywhere** (**L**: *it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere* | **S**: *because we are aware that in many places people are speaking against it*) The Jewish leaders were informed that following Jesus Christ was spoken against it every place. **Spoken against** means people were saying that following Jesus is not the right thing to do. Translate **because it is known by us that it is spoken against everywhere** to mean that people in many places were speaking against Jesus. 
+
+23 When they had set a day for him, more people came to him at his dwelling place.[^76] He presented the matter to them, and testified about the kingdom of God.[^77] He tried to persuade them about Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.[^78] 24 Some were convinced about the things which were said, while others did not believe.[^79] 25 When they did not agree with one another,[^80] they left after Paul had spoken this one word, "The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers.[^81] 26 He said, 'Go to this people and say,
+
+"By hearing you will hear, but not understand; and seeing you will see, but will not perceive.[^82] 27 For the heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they hardly hear, and they have shut their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn again,
 and I would heal them."'
 
-[^ ]: **28:23** **more people came to him at his dwelling place** (**L**: *more came to him at his lodging* | **S**: *On that day, even more people than before came to where Paul was staying to hear Paul speak*) Paul opened up the place he was staying to even more people. **His dwelling place** refers to the place where he was staying with the guard. Christians open up their homes to create an opportunity to share the gospel. Translate **more people came to him at his dwelling place** to mean that more people came to the place where Paul was staying with the guard. 
+[^76]: **28:23** **more people came to him at his dwelling place** (**L**: *more came to him at his lodging* | **S**: *On that day, even more people than before came to where Paul was staying to hear Paul speak*) Paul opened up the place he was staying to even more people. **His dwelling place** refers to the place where he was staying with the guard. Christians open up their homes to create an opportunity to share the gospel. Translate **more people came to him at his dwelling place** to mean that more people came to the place where Paul was staying with the guard. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:23** **He presented the matter to them, and testified about the kingdom of God** (**L**: *to whom he was explaining, testifying about the kingdom of God* | **S**: *Paul explained many things to them. He talked about how God would rule everyone*) Paul spent time presenting the gospel and testifying about the kingdom of God. **The matter** refers to the gospel of Jesus Christ. **Kingdom of God** is where God is the ruler. The message of Christians is Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God. Translate **He presented the matter to them, and testified about the kingdom of God** to mean Paul presented about Jesus Christ and testified about the kingdom of God. 
+[^77]: **28:23** **He presented the matter to them, and testified about the kingdom of God** (**L**: *to whom he was explaining, testifying about the kingdom of God* | **S**: *Paul explained many things to them. He talked about how God would rule everyone*) Paul spent time presenting the gospel and testifying about the kingdom of God. **The matter** refers to the gospel of Jesus Christ. **Kingdom of God** is where God is the ruler. The message of Christians is Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God. Translate **He presented the matter to them, and testified about the kingdom of God** to mean Paul presented about Jesus Christ and testified about the kingdom of God. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:23** **He tried to persuade them about Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening** (**L**: *persuading them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and the Prophets from morning until evening* | **S**: *He also talked about how various places in the Scriptures foretold that Jesus would come. Paul talked for that entire day with the people who had come to his house*) Paul tried to convince the people who were visiting him about Jesus from morning until evening. Paul would use the law of Moses and the prophets to try and persuade them. **Law of Moses** refers to the first five books of the Bible. The Christian community exists to proclaim Jesus to the unbelieving world. Translate **He tried to persuade them about Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening** to mean Paul tried to convince the people that Jesus Christ is the Messiah from the first five books of the Bible and the prophets found in the Bible. 
+[^78]: **28:23** **He tried to persuade them about Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening** (**L**: *persuading them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and the Prophets from morning until evening* | **S**: *He also talked about how various places in the Scriptures foretold that Jesus would come. Paul talked for that entire day with the people who had come to his house*) Paul tried to convince the people who were visiting him about Jesus from morning until evening. Paul would use the law of Moses and the prophets to try and persuade them. **Law of Moses** refers to the first five books of the Bible. The Christian community exists to proclaim Jesus to the unbelieving world. Translate **He tried to persuade them about Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening** to mean Paul tried to convince the people that Jesus Christ is the Messiah from the first five books of the Bible and the prophets found in the Bible. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:24** **Some were convinced about the things which were said, while others did not believe** (**L**: *while some were convinced by the things being said, others still did not believe* | **S**: *Paul was able to persuade some of those Jews that the things he said about Jesus were true. But some others would not believe that they were true*) Some people were convinced about the things Paul said, but some did not believe. **Convinced** means they believed because they saw that the Law of Moses and the prophets pointed to Jesus Christ. When Christians are hospitable, it creates opportunities for people to believe the gospel. Translate **Some were convinced about the things which were said, while others did not believe** to mean that some people believed Jesus Christ was the Messiah because of the things Paul said but some did not believe. 
+[^79]: **28:24** **Some were convinced about the things which were said, while others did not believe** (**L**: *while some were convinced by the things being said, others still did not believe* | **S**: *Paul was able to persuade some of those Jews that the things he said about Jesus were true. But some others would not believe that they were true*) Some people were convinced about the things Paul said, but some did not believe. **Convinced** means they believed because they saw that the Law of Moses and the prophets pointed to Jesus Christ. When Christians are hospitable, it creates opportunities for people to believe the gospel. Translate **Some were convinced about the things which were said, while others did not believe** to mean that some people believed Jesus Christ was the Messiah because of the things Paul said but some did not believe. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:25** **When they did not agree with one another** (**L**: *being discordant with one another* | **S**: *The two groups argued with each other*) The people disagreed with each other. The gospel creates division because some believe while others do not believe. Translate **When they did not agree with one another** to mean the people did not agree. 
+[^80]: **28:25** **When they did not agree with one another** (**L**: *being discordant with one another* | **S**: *The two groups argued with each other*) The people disagreed with each other. The gospel creates division because some believe while others do not believe. Translate **When they did not agree with one another** to mean the people did not agree. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:25** **The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers** (**L**: *The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers* | **S**: *The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said something through Isaiah the prophet*) Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah from the Old Testament that spoke to the fathers of the people who did not believe. **Spoke well** means the prophet spoke accurately. The Scriptures testify that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. Translate **The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers** to mean The Holy Spirit spoke accurately through the prophet Isaiah. 
+[^81]: **28:25** **The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers** (**L**: *The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers* | **S**: *The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said something through Isaiah the prophet*) Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah from the Old Testament that spoke to the fathers of the people who did not believe. **Spoke well** means the prophet spoke accurately. The Scriptures testify that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. Translate **The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers** to mean The Holy Spirit spoke accurately through the prophet Isaiah. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:26** **By hearing you will hear, but not understand; and seeing you will see, but will not perceive** (**L**: *By hearing you will hear but you will not understand at all, and seeing you will see but you will not perceive at all* | **S**: *You seem to be listening but you never really understand what God is saying. You seem to be looking but you never really recognize the things that God is doing*) Paul quoted the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah said the people of Israel would hear the message but not understand and they will see but still not perceive. **Perceive** means they will not recognize. Not everyone who hears the gospel will believe in the gospel. Translate **By hearing you will hear, but not understand; and seeing you will see, but will not perceive** to mean the prophet Isaiah said about the people that they will hear but not understand and they will see but not recognize what it is they see. 
+[^82]: **28:26** **By hearing you will hear, but not understand; and seeing you will see, but will not perceive** (**L**: *By hearing you will hear but you will not understand at all, and seeing you will see but you will not perceive at all* | **S**: *You seem to be listening but you never really understand what God is saying. You seem to be looking but you never really recognize the things that God is doing*) Paul quoted the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah said the people of Israel would hear the message but not understand and they will see but still not perceive. **Perceive** means they will not recognize. Not everyone who hears the gospel will believe in the gospel. Translate **By hearing you will hear, but not understand; and seeing you will see, but will not perceive** to mean the prophet Isaiah said about the people that they will hear but not understand and they will see but not recognize what it is they see. 
 
-28 Therefore, you should know that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen."[^] 29 When he had said these things, the Jews went away. They were having a great dispute among themselves.[^]
+28 Therefore, you should know that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen."[^83] 29 When he had said these things, the Jews went away. They were having a great dispute among themselves.[^84]
 
-[^ ]: **28:28** **you should know that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen** (**L**: *this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear* | **S**: *you should know that God is offering to save the non-Jews, and many of them will accept his offer*) Paul informs the people who came to him that they should know the salvation of God has been sent to the gentiles and they will listen. **This salvation of God** is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel will be proclaimed to all people. Translate **you should know that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen** to mean Paul told the people at his house that they should know the gospel of Jesus Christ as been sent to the Gentiles and the Gentiles will listen. 
+[^83]: **28:28** **you should know that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen** (**L**: *this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear* | **S**: *you should know that God is offering to save the non-Jews, and many of them will accept his offer*) Paul informs the people who came to him that they should know the salvation of God has been sent to the gentiles and they will listen. **This salvation of God** is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel will be proclaimed to all people. Translate **you should know that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen** to mean Paul told the people at his house that they should know the gospel of Jesus Christ as been sent to the Gentiles and the Gentiles will listen. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:29** **They were having a great dispute among themselves** (**L**: *having a great dispute among themselves* | **S**: *They were having a great dispute among themselves*) See note 28:25. Translate **They were having a great dispute among themselves** to mean The people had a big debate among themselves. 
+[^84]: **28:29** **They were having a great dispute among themselves** (**L**: *having a great dispute among themselves* | **S**: *They were having a great dispute among themselves*) See note 28:25. Translate **They were having a great dispute among themselves** to mean The people had a big debate among themselves. 
 
-30 Paul lived for two whole years in his own rented house, and he welcomed all who came to him.[^] 31 He was proclaiming the kingdom of God and was teaching the things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness.[^] No one stopped him.
+30 Paul lived for two whole years in his own rented house, and he welcomed all who came to him.[^85] 31 He was proclaiming the kingdom of God and was teaching the things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness.[^86] No one stopped him.
 
-[^ ]: **28:30** **Paul lived for two whole years in his own rented house, and he welcomed all who came to him** (**L**: *he stayed for two whole years in his own rented house, and he was welcoming all the ones coming in to him* | **S**: *Paul stayed in Rome for two whole years in a house that he rented. Many people came to see him. He received each of them gladly and spoke with them*) Paul stayed in the house he rented for two whole years and welcomed all who came to him. **His own rented house** refers to the place he was able to live by himself with the guard. Christians show hospitality to strangers as an opportunity to share the gospel. Translate **Paul lived for two whole years in his own rented house, and he welcomed all who came to him** to mean Paul lived in his own place for two years and welcomed all who came to him. 
+[^85]: **28:30** **Paul lived for two whole years in his own rented house, and he welcomed all who came to him** (**L**: *he stayed for two whole years in his own rented house, and he was welcoming all the ones coming in to him* | **S**: *Paul stayed in Rome for two whole years in a house that he rented. Many people came to see him. He received each of them gladly and spoke with them*) Paul stayed in the house he rented for two whole years and welcomed all who came to him. **His own rented house** refers to the place he was able to live by himself with the guard. Christians show hospitality to strangers as an opportunity to share the gospel. Translate **Paul lived for two whole years in his own rented house, and he welcomed all who came to him** to mean Paul lived in his own place for two years and welcomed all who came to him. 
 
-[^ ]: **28:31** **He was proclaiming the kingdom of God and was teaching the things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness** (**L**: *proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness* | **S**: *He preached about how God would rule over everyone. He also taught people about the Lord Jesus the Messiah*) Paul was proclaiming the kingdom of God and was teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness. **Kingdom of God** see note 28:23. **Boldness** means that Paul did not shy away from proclaiming the gospel. If Christian community fails to welcome people to hear the message of the gospel, all other acts of hospitality are in vain. Translate **He was proclaiming the kingdom of God and was teaching the things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness** to mean Paul was proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness. 
+[^86]: **28:31** **He was proclaiming the kingdom of God and was teaching the things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness** (**L**: *proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness* | **S**: *He preached about how God would rule over everyone. He also taught people about the Lord Jesus the Messiah*) Paul was proclaiming the kingdom of God and was teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness. **Kingdom of God** see note 28:23. **Boldness** means that Paul did not shy away from proclaiming the gospel. If Christian community fails to welcome people to hear the message of the gospel, all other acts of hospitality are in vain. Translate **He was proclaiming the kingdom of God and was teaching the things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness** to mean Paul was proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness. 
 
+<!-- page break -->
 ## Introduction 
 
+<!-- insert devotional here -->
+
+<!-- page break -->
+
 ## Biblical Interpretation: Observing the Details of the Story
 *After reading the biblical passage, answer the following questions to familiarize yourself with the details of the text.*
 
@@ -236,18 +326,26 @@ Answer the following observation questions to gain a basic understanding of the
 
 #### Acts 27:3-6
 How did the centurion Julius treat Paul at the beginning of the journey to Rome?
+
+<!-- answer -->
 Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends and receive their care.
 
 #### Acts 27:7
 Which island did Paul’s ship sail around with difficulty?
+
+<!-- answer -->
 The ship sailed around the island of Crete with difficulty.
 
 #### Acts 27:8-9
 Which island did Paul’s ship sail around with difficulty?
+
+<!-- answer -->
 The ship sailed around the island of Crete with difficulty.
 
 #### Acts 27:10
 Why did Julius the centurion not follow Paul’s warning about the dangers of continuing to sail?
+
+<!-- answer -->
 Julius did not follow Paul’s warning because he paid more attention to the owner of the ship.
 
 #### Acts 27:11-13
@@ -435,9 +533,19 @@ Who stopped Paul from preaching and teaching while he was a prisoner in Rome for
 <!-- answer -->
 No one stopped him.
 
-### Translation Questions
-Use the following translation questions to understand specific details of the passage. Discuss how you might translate these specific elements of the text.
+<!-- page break -->
 
+### Translation Questions
+Using the instructions below, generate translation questions to understand specific details of the passage. Use these questions to discuss how you might translate these specific elements of the text.
+
+![[EJ-Movement-1-Translation-Questions]]
+
+<!-- page break -->
+
+### Storycraft
+Retell this story in your own words (i.e., orally, dramatization, or written/crafted story). Try to tell the story in an accurate way (true to the Bible), natural (words that common people would use), and reproducible (memorable for someone listening to repeat it on their own). After crafting this story, retell it in your family, your church community, or to some other person God has placed in your life.
+
+<!-- page break -->
 
 ###  Grammar and Translation Training: Extended Biblical Imagery
 *Use the following exercise to learn about a specific grammar issue and its importance to understand the meaning of a text. This exercise will also help you develop skills to translate this issue accurately and naturally in your own language. If you need additional help on this translation topic, please reference [translationAcademy](https://door43.org/u/unfoldingWord/en_ta/v24/03-translate.html#figs-exmetaphor).*
@@ -468,8 +576,7 @@ Use the following translation questions to understand specific details of the pa
 #### Application to the Biblical Text
 *Now that you better understand this language concept, apply what you learned to the biblical text.*
 
-### Storycraft
-Retell this story in your own words (i.e., orally, dramatization, or written/crafted story). Try to tell the story in a way that is accurate (true to the Bible), natural (words that common people would use), and reproducible (memorable for someone listening to repeat it on their own). After crafting this story, retell it in your family, your church community, or to some other person God has placed in your life.
+<!-- page break -->
 
 ## Theological Dialogue: Discussing the Meaning of the Story
 *Take time to explore the meaning of the text together as a community. Use the following discussions as a way to grasp what truth the biblical passage teaches.*
@@ -477,23 +584,51 @@ Retell this story in your own words (i.e., orally, dramatization, or written/cra
 ### Discourse Questions
 Use the following discourse questions to understand the meaning of the text. Pay attention to how the biblical passage itself addresses each question or theme.
 
+1. How were Paul and his fellow travelers protected and provided for in the initial part of their journey? Acts 27:1–8
+2. What dangers and difficulties did the travelers face, and how did they variously respond? Acts 27:9–44
+3. What events took place on the island of Malta? Acts 28:1–10
+4. As Paul traveled to Rome, where did he stop, and who did he visit along the way? Acts 28:11–16
+5. When Paul arrived in Rome, what were his interactions like with the Jewish leaders? Acts 28:17–31
+
 ### Theological Questions
 Answer the following theology questions as a community. Discuss what truths this biblical passage teaches.
 
+1. **Divine Providence:** How does being a recipient of kindness and hospitality (from God and from others) help us extend care to others? How does the opening of this sea voyage highlight Paul as a recipient of kindness and care? Acts 27:1–8
+2. **Gospel/Kerygmatic Community:** How is the life of the church community a gospel witness to outsiders? How did Paul exemplify characteristics of faith in a way that made an impact on the fearful people on board the storm-tossed ship? Acts 27:9–44
+3. **Missional Outreach:** How can hospitality (given and received) be a means of missional outreach? How do we see dynamics of ministry and hospitality during Paul’s stay on the island of Malta? Acts 28:1–10
+4. **Extended Community:** How should the church interact with members from other parts of the world? What kind of interaction did Paul have with other believers during his final trip to Rome? Acts 28:11–16
+5. **Gospel Ministry:** How can hospitality be a means of ministering the gospel to unbelievers? How did Paul use his situation of house arrest as a means of gospel ministry? Acts 28:17–31
+
+
 ![[EJ-Movement-2-Drafting]]
 
+<!-- page break -->
+
 ## Personal Reflection: Following the Teaching of the Story
 *Take a moment to allow this text to evaluate your own life and to consider how God would have you respond. After this reflection, use the quality checking questions to check your translation draft among the translation team.*
 
 ### Journal Reflection
 Prayerfully think about the following personal reflection questions. Write/Record your answers and/or discuss them as a group.
 
+1. When have you ever felt like an outsider? What did this feel like and why?
+2. When have you ever received unexpected care and kindness from others? What was this experience like?
+3. How have you been a recipient of kindness and protection from God?
+4. Which parts of this story most challenge you as you consider what it means to care for outsiders?
+5. What obstacles keep you from caring for those outside of your normal spheres?
+6. What steps is God inviting you to take in order to care for others in a way that would be pleasing to God?
+
 ![[EJ-Movement-3-Checking]]
 
+<!-- page break -->
+
 ![[EJ-Movement-4]]
 
+<!-- page break -->
+
 ![[EJ-Movement-5]]
 
+<!-- page break -->
+
 ![[EJ-Conclusion]]