Acts 28:1-9 ▼

1 And, having safely escaped, we then ascertained that the island was called Melita.

2 And the barbarians were extending to us no ordinary kindness; for, having kindled a fire, they took us all in, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

3 And Paul, having gathered a certain lot of fuel, and put it on the fire, a viper, coming out from the heat, fastened upon his hand.

4 And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging on his hand, they said among themselves, "Assuredly this man is a murderer, whom, though safely escaping from the sea, justice permitted not to live."

5 He, therefore, having shaken off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm;

6 but they were expecting that he would surely become swollen, or suddenly fall down dead; but, after looking a great while, and observing nothing unusual happening to him, changing their minds, they said that he was a god.

7 Now, in the districts round about that place, were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, by name Publius; who, receiving us, entertained us hospitably three days.

8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying prostrate, afflicted with fever and dysentery; to whom Paul coming, and praying, laying his hands on him, healed him.

9 And, when this happened, the others also, who had diseases in the island, were coming to him , and being healed;