Acts 28:1-16 ▼

1 AFTERWARDS they learned that the island was called Mel’i-ta.

2 And the barbarians who inhabited it showed us much kindness: for they kindled a fire and called us all to warm ourselves, because of heavy rain and the cold.

3 And Paul picked up a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire and a scorpion driven by the heat, came out and bit his hand.

4 And when the barbarians saw it hanging from his hand, they said, It may be that this man is a murderer, whom though he has been rescued from the sea, yet justice does not permit him to live.

5 But Paul shook his hand and threw the viper into the fire, and felt no harm.

6 However, the barbarians expected he would immediately swell up and fall to the ground dead: but after they had waited for a long while, and saw he had not been harmed, they changed their talk, and said that he was a god.

7 There were villages in that region, belonging to a man whose name was Pub’li-us, the chief man of the island; and he gladly received us at his house for three days.

8 But the father of Pub’li-us was sick with fever and dysentery: so Paul went in to where he was lying and prayed, then he laid his hand on him and healed him.

9 So when this was done, others also sick in the island, came, and were healed.

10 The inhabitants honored us with great honors: and when we departed from thence, they ladened us with provisions.

11 After three months we departed, sailing in an Al-ex-an’dri-an ship, which had wintered in the island, and which bore the sign of Castor and Pollux.

12 Landing at Syracuse, we remained there for three days.

13 From there we circled around, and arrived at Rhe’gi-um city. After a day the south wind blew in our favor, and in two days, we came to Pu-te’o-li, an Italian city,

14 Where we found brethren who invited us; and we stayed with them seven days: then we departed for Rome.

15 When the brethren there heard of us, they came out to meet us as far as the street which is called Ap’pi-i-fo’rum and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and was greatly encouraged.

16 Then we entered Rome, and the centurion gave permission to Paul to live wherever he pleased with a soldier to guard him.