Part 743 (2/2)

27:39. And when it was day, they knew not the land. But they discovered a certain creek that had a sh.o.r.e, into which they minded, if they could, to thrust in the s.h.i.+p.

27:40. And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves to the sea, loosing withal the rudder bands. And hoisting up the mainsail to the wind, they made towards sh.o.r.e.

27:41. And when we were fallen into a place where two seas met, they run the s.h.i.+p aground. And the forepart indeed, sticking fast, remained unmoveable: but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the sea.

27:42. And the soldiers' counsel was that they should kill the prisoners, lest any of them, swimming out should escape.

27:43. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, forbade it to be done.

And he commanded that they who could swim should cast themselves first into the sea and save themselves and get to land.

27:44. And the rest, some they carried on boards and some on those things that belonged to the s.h.i.+p. And so it came to pa.s.s that every soul got safe to land.

Acts Chapter 28

Paul, after three months' stay in Melita, continues his voyage and arrives at Rome. His conference there with the Jews.

28:1. And when we had escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita. But the barbarians shewed us no small courtesy.

28:2. For kindling a fire, they refreshed us all, because of the present rain and of the cold.

28:3. And when Paul had gathered together a bundle of sticks and had laid them on the fire, a viper, coming out of the heat, fastened on his hand.

28:4. And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging on his hand, they said one to another: Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, who, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance doth not suffer him to live.

28:5. And he indeed, shaking off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm.

28:6. But they supposed that he would begin to swell up and that he would suddenly fall down and die. But expecting long and seeing that there came no harm to him, changing their minds, they said that he was a G.o.d.

28:7. Now in these places were possessions of the chief man of the island, named Publius: who, receiving us for three days, entertained us courteously.

28:8. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a b.l.o.o.d.y flux. To whom Paul entered in. And when he had prayed and laid his hands on him, he healed him.

28:9. Which being done, all that had diseases in the island came and were healed.

28:10. Who also honoured us with many honours: and when we were to set sail, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

28:11. And after three months, we sailed in a s.h.i.+p of Alexandria, that had wintered in the island, whose sign was the Castors.

28:12. And when we were come to Syracusa, we tarried there three days.

28:13. From thence, compa.s.sing by the sh.o.r.e, we came to Rhegium: and after one day, the south wind blowing, we came the second day to Puteoli:

28:14. Where, finding brethren, we were desired to tarry with them seven days. And so we went to Rome.

28:15. And from thence, when the brethren had heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and the Three Taverns. Whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to G.o.d and took courage.

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