27Now as the fourteenth night was passing, whilst we were driving about in the Adriatic sea, about midnight the sailors imagined that some land was near to them: 28and sounding, had twenty fathoms; then passing on a little farther, and sounding again, they had fifteen fathoms. 29And fearing lest they might run on some rocky coast, they cast out four anchors astern, and wished eagerly for the day to break.
30Now as the sailors were seeking to escape out of the ship, and had hoisted out the boat into the sea, under pretence as if they were going to carry out anchors a-head, 31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these men abide in the ship, ye cannot be preserved. 32Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
33And while they waited until the day should break, Paul exhorted them all to take some nourishment, saying, To day, expecting the fourteenth day, ye are continuing without food, taking nothing. 34Wherefore I exhort you to take some food, for this is for your preservation: for a hair shall not fall from the head of any one of you. 35And so saying, and taking a loaf, he gave thanks to God before them all, and breaking it, began to eat. 36Then were they all cheered up, and they too took refreshment.
37Now all the souls which were in the ship amounted to two hundred seventy-six: 38and having made a hearty meal, they lightened the vessel, throwing the wheat into the sea. 39And when the day broke, they knew not the land: but they observed a certain creek with a beach, into which they resolved, if they could, to run the vessel aground. 40And weighing the anchors, they committed her to the sea, and loosing at the same time the chains of the rudders, and hoisting the foresail to the breeze, they made for the beach. 41But falling on a shoal where two currents met, they ran the ship aground; and the forecastle stuck fast, and remained immoveable, but the stern was stove in by the violence of the waves. 42Then the soldiers’ design was to have murdered the prisoners, lest any of them should swim ashore and escape. 43But the centurion, desirous to preserve Paul, withheld them from their purpose, and commanded those who were able to swim to jump overboard first, and reach the land: 44and that the rest should make the attempt, some on planks, and some on the floating materials of the ship: and in this manner so it was that they all safely reached the shore.
[CHAP. XXVIII.]
AND being safe landed, we then understood that the island was called Melita. 2And the rude people treated us with singular humanity; for, lighting a fire, they received us all, because of the violent rain, and because of the cold. 3But as Paul was gathering up a faggot of sticks, and laying them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4Now when the rude people saw the venomous animal hanging from his hand, they said one to another, Surely this man is a murderer, whom though preserved from the sea, righteous vengeance suffereth not to live. 5But he then shaking off the venomous animal into the fire, suffered no manner of inconvenience. 6Now they expected that a violent inflammation would ensue, or that he would have fallen suddenly dead: but when, after waiting a considerable time, they saw no inconvenience arise to him, they changed their opinion, and said that he was a divinity.
7Now in the vicinity of that place was the estate of the principal person on the island, named Publius, who received us into his house, and lodged us with great humanity three days. 8And it so happened that the father of Publius was then confined to his bed with an attack of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul went in, and after praying, laid his hands upon him, and healed him. 9This then being the case, all the rest also who had diseases in the island came to him, and were healed. 10Then they honoured us with many tokens of respect; and when we were about to sail, laid in for us every necessary store. 11And after three months stay we sailed in a ship which had wintered in the island, from Alexandria, whose sign was Castor and Pollux: 12and proceeding on our voyage to Syracuse, we tarried there three days: 13from whence we came round, and arrived opposite to Rhegium; and after one day the south wind arising, we came in two more to Puteoli: 14where finding brethren, we were solicited by them to tarry seven days; and so we went for Rome. 15And the brethren from thence, when they heard of our motions, came out to meet us as far as Appii Forum and the Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to God, and felt fresh courage.
16And when we were come to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but he permitted Paul to have an apartment by himself, with a soldier only who guarded him.
17Now it came to pass that after three days Paul called together the principal persons of the Jews. And when they were assembled, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have done nothing contrary to the people and the customs of our ancestors, yet have I been delivered up a prisoner into the hands of the Romans. 18Who, after a full examination, would have discharged me, because there was not the least cause found in me for death. 19But when the Jews opposed it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cæsar; not that I have any accusation to bring against my countrymen. 20For this cause therefore have I invited you hither, to see and to converse with you; for on account of the hope of Israel am I bound with this chain.