17And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called together those who were the chief men of the Jews; and when they were come together, he said to them: Men, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans; 18who, when they had examined me, wished to release me, because there was no cause of death in me. 19But as the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Cæsar; not that I have anything to charge against my nation. 20For this cause therefore I called for you, to see and to speak with you; for on account of the hope of Israel I am compassed with this chain.
21And they said to him: We neither received letters from Judæa concerning thee, nor did any one of the brethren that came, report or speak any evil concerning thee. 22But we desire to hear from thee what thou thinkest; for concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against.
23And having appointed a day for him, they came to him in greater numbers to his lodging; to whom he expounded, testifying fully the kingdom of God, and persuading them of the things concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning till evening. 24And some believed the things spoken, and some believed not. 25And disagreeing among themselves, they departed, after Paul had spoken one word: Well did the Holy Spirit speak through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26saying:
Go to this people, and say;
With the hearing ye will hear, and will not understand,
And seeing ye will see, and will not perceive.
27For the heart of this people is become gross,
And their ears are dull of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed;
Lest haply they see with their eyes,