Acts 28:1-16 ▼

1 AND being safe landed, we then understood that the island was called Melita.

2 And 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.

3 But 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.

4 Now 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.

5 But he then shaking off the venomous animal into the fire, suffered no manner of inconvenience.

6 Now 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.

7 Now 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.

8 And 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.

9 This then being the case, all the rest also who had diseases in the island came to him, and were healed.

10 Then they honoured us with many tokens of respect; and when we were about to sail, laid in for us every necessary store.

11 And after three months stay we sailed in a ship which had wintered in the island, from Alexandria, whose sign was Castor and Pollux:

12 and proceeding on our voyage to Syracuse, we tarried there three days:

13 from whence we came round, and arrived opposite to Rhegium; and after one day the south wind arising, we came in two more to Puteoli:

14 where finding brethren, we were solicited by them to tarry seven days; and so we went for Rome.

15 And 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.

16 And 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.