Acts 28:1-16 ▼

1 And when they had saved themselves, they then learned that the island was called Melita.

2 And the barbarians showed us no ordinary kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the rain which was falling, and because of the cold.

3 And when Paul had brought together a heap of brushwood, and laid it on the fire, a viper came out, by reason of the heat, and fastened itself on his hand.

4 And when the barbarians saw the reptile hanging from his hand, they said to one another: This man is certainly a murderer, whom, although he has saved himself from the sea, justice does not permit to live.

5 Then he shook the reptile from him into the fire, and suffered no harm.

6 But they were expecting that he would become inflamed and swollen, or would suddenly fall down dead; yet, after expecting it for a long time, and seeing no harm befall him, they changed their mind, and said he was a god.

7 Among the estates about that place were those of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius, who took us to his house, and, for three days, entertained us kindly.

8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul went in to him, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and restored him to health.

9 Therefore, after this had been done, the rest also in the island who had diseases, came and were cured.

10 And they also honored us with many honors; and, when we put to sea, they supplied us with such things as we needed.

11 After three months we put to sea in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the island, whose sign was the Dioscuri.

12 And we landed at Syracuse, and remained there three days:

13 from which place, by coasting about, we came to Rhegium; and one day afterward, the south wind arose; and we came, on the next day, to Puteoli,

14 where we found brethren, and were persuaded to remain with them seven days. And thus we went toward Home.

15 And from this place, the brethren, having heard of us, came out as far as Appii Forum and the Three Taverns, to meet us. When Paul saw the brethren, he thanked God, and took courage.

16 When we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself, with a soldier that guarded him.