17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the principals of the Jews together, and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, when they had examined me, would have let me go because there was no cause of death in me. 19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar, not that I had anything to accuse my nation of. 20 For this cause therefore I have called for you, to see you and to speak with you: because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spoke any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against.
23 And when they had appointed him a day, many came to him into his lodging, to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, procuring to persuade them of that concerning Jesus, the Christ, out of the law of Moses and out of the prophets, from morning until evening. 24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some did not believe. 25 And when they did not agree among themselves, they departed, after Paul had spoken this word, Well spoke the Holy Spirit by Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers,
26 saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see and not perceive; 27 for the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and should be converted and I should heal them.
28 Be it known, therefore, unto you that this saving health of God is sent unto the Gentiles and that they will hear it. 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.
30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house and received all that came in unto him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all liberty, without hindrance.