028:013 From there we came round and reached Rhegium; and a day later, a south wind sprang up which brought us by the evening of the next day to Puteoli. 028:014 Here we found brethren, who invited us to remain with them for a week; and so we reached Rome. 028:015 Meanwhile the brethren there, hearing of our movements, came as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Huts to meet us; and when Paul saw them he thanked God and felt encouraged. 028:016 Upon our arrival in Rome, Paul received permission to live by himself, guarded by a soldier. 028:017 After one complete day he invited the leading men among the Jews to meet him; and, when they were come together, he said to them, "As for me, brethren, although I had done nothing prejudicial to our people or contrary to the customs of our forefathers, I was handed over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the power of the Romans. 028:018 They, after they had sharply questioned me, were willing to set me at liberty, because they found no offence in me for which I deserve to die. 028:019 But, at last, the opposition of the Jews compelled me to appeal to Caesar; not however that I had any charge to bring against my nation. 028:020 For these reasons, then, I have invited you here, that I might see you and speak to you; for it is for the sake of Him who is the hope of Israel that this chain hangs upon me." 028:021 "For our part," they replied, "we have not received any letters from Judaea about you, nor have any of our countrymen come here and reported or stated anything to your disadvantage. 028:022 But we should be glad to hear from you what it is that you believe; for as for this sect all we know is that it is everywhere spoken against." 028:023 So they arranged a day with him and came to him in considerable numbers at the house of the friends who were entertaining him. And then, with solemn earnestness, he explained to them the subject of the Kingdom of God, endeavouring from morning till evening to convince them about Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 028:024 Some were convinced; others refused to believe. 028:025 Unable to agree among themselves, they at last left him, but not before Paul had spoken a parting word to them, saying, "Right well did the Holy Spirit say to your forefathers through the Prophet Isaiah: 028:026 "`Go to this people and tell them, you will hear and hear, and by no means understand; and will look and look, and by no means see.