27And when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven onward in the Adriatic sea, about midnight the seamen suspected that they were near to some country; 28and sounding, they found twenty fathoms; and having gone a little further, they sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms. 29Then fearing lest we should fall upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for day.
30And as the seamen were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had let down the boat into the sea, under color as if they were about to extend anchors out of the foreship, 31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers: Except these abide in the ship, ye can not be saved. 32Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let it fall off.
33And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take food, saying: This day is the fourteenth day that ye have waited, and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34Wherefore I pray you to take food; for this is for your safety; for there shall not a hair fall from the head of one of you.
35And having thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all; and having broken it, he began to eat. 36Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took food. 37And we were in all in the ship two hundred and seventy-six souls. 38And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, casting out the grain into the sea.
39And when it was day, they knew not the land; but they perceived a certain creek, having a beach, on which they determined, if they were able, to drive the ship ashore. 40And cutting the anchors entirely away, they abandoned them to the sea, at the same time unfastening the bands of the rudders; and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made toward the beach. 41And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow sticking fast remained immovable, but the stern was broken by the violence of the waves. 42And it was the plan of the soldiers, that they should kill the prisoners, lest any one should swim out, and escape. 43But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that those who could swim should cast themselves first into the sea and get to land, 44and the rest, some on boards, and others on some of the pieces from the ship. And so it came to pass, that all escaped safe to land.
XXVIII. And having escaped, they then learned that the island is called Melita. 2And the barbarians showed us no little kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
3And Paul having gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came out a viper from the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4And when the barbarians saw the animal hanging from his hand, they said among themselves: No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though escaped from the sea, justice suffered not to live. 5He, however, shaking off the animal into the fire, suffered no harm. 6But they were expecting that he would become inflamed, or suddenly fall down dead; but after looking a great while, and seeing no harm befall him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
7In the region around that place, there were lands of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius, who received and entertained us kindly three days. 8Now it happened, that the father of Publius was lying sick with a fever and a bloody flux; to whom Paul entered in, and having prayed, laid his hands on him and healed him. 9And this having been done, the others also, who had diseases in the island, came and were healed; 10who also honored us with many honors; and when we put to sea, they loaded us with such things as were necessary.
11And after three months, we put to sea in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the island, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. 12And landing at Syracuse, we remained three days. 13And from thence, making a circuit[13], we came to Rhegium. And after one day, a south wind arose, and we came on the second day to Puteoli; 14where we found brethren, and were entreated to remain with them seven days; and so we went toward Rome. 15And from thence, the brethren, having heard of us, came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and the Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to God, and took courage.
16And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the commander of the camp; but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.