Acts 27:39-28:16 - Jon B

Acts 27:39–28:16 (ESV)

Acts 27:39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore.

Acts 27:40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach.

Acts 27:41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf.

Acts 27:42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape.

Acts 27:43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land,

Acts 27:44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

Acts 28:1 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.

Acts 28:2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.

Acts 28:3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.

Acts 28:4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”

Acts 28:5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

Acts 28:6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

Acts 28:7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.

Acts 28:8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him.

Acts 28:9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.

Acts 28:10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

Acts 28:11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead.

Acts 28:12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.

Acts 28:13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.

Acts 28:14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.

Acts 28:15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.

Acts 28:16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.