Paul Sails for Rome

1Now as it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan cohort. 2And going on board a ship of Adramyttium, we went off, intending to sail by the coasts of Asia; Aristarchus a Macedonian of Thessalonica being with us. 3And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius treating Paul with great humanity, permitted him to go to his friends to get proper supplies. 4And when we departed from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5And sailing through the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra a city of Lycia. 6And there the centurion finding a ship of Alexandria bound for Italy, he put us on board it. 7And as we sailed slowly for many days, and were hardly got on to Cnidus, the wind not permitting us, we sailed under Crete by Salmone. 8And passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called the Fair-havens, near to which was the city of Lasea.

9And as much time was spent, and sailing was now dangerous, (for the fast was now past,) Paul exhorted them, 10saying, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage is like to be prejudicial and with much damage, not only of the lading and of the ship, but also of our lives. 11But the centurion regarded the pilot and the master of the vessel, more than the things that were said by Paul. 12And the haven not being commodious to winter in, the greater part advised to sail from thence, if they could possibly reach to Phenice to winter at that haven of Crete, which looks both to the south-west and north-west.

The Storm at Sea

13And as the south wind blew gently, thinking they were secure of their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed close by Crete.

14But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind called Euroclydon. 15And the ship being hurried on, and not able to face the wind, we gave it up and so were carried along. 16And running under a certain island called Clauda, we were hardly able to become masters of the boat. 17Which when they had hoisted up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and fearing least they should fall into the quick-sands, they struck fail, and so were driven. 18And as we were exceedingly tossed by the storm, the next day they lightened the ship: 19and the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship too. 20And as neither sun nor stars appeared for several days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was now taken away.

21But after long abstinence from food, Paul stood up in the midst of them and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not loosed from Crete, and so have saved this damage and loss. 22However, I now exhort you to be of good courage: for there shall be no loss of any life among you, but only of the ship: 23for there stood by me this night an angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, 24Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Cesar, and behold God hath given thee all that are sailing with thee. 25Wherefore, Sirs, be of good courage; for I trust in God, that it shall be so, according as it was told me. 26But we must be cast upon some island.

The Shipwreck

27And when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic sea, about the middle of the night the mariners thought they drew near to some land: 28and sounding they found it twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, and sounded again, they found it fifteen fathoms. 29Then fearing least they should fall upon some rocky places, they cast four anchors out of the stern and wished for day. 30But the mariners endeavouring to flee out of the ship, and having let down the boat into the sea, under pretence that they were going to stretch out anchors from the head of the ship, 31Paul said to the centurion, and to the soldiers, Unless these men stay in the ship ye cannot be saved. 32Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let it fall off.

33And while the day was coming on, Paul exhorted them all to take some food, saying, Fourteen days this day ye continue waiting without proper food, having taken nothing: 34wherefore I exhort you to take some nourishment, for this is necessary for your safety: for there shall not a hair fall from the head of any of you. 35And having spoken thus, he took bread and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and when he had broken it he began to eat. 36And being all encouraged they also took some food. 37And we were in all in the ship two hundred and seventy-six souls. 38And when they were satisfied with food, they lightened the ship and cast out the corn into the sea.

39And when it was day, they did not know the land near them: but they perceived a certain creek with a shore, into which they were desirous, if they could, to have thrust the ship. 40And when they had taken up the anchors, they trusted the ship to the sea, at the same time, loosing the rudder-bands; and hoisting up the main-sail to the wind, they made to the shore. 41But falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship a-ground; and the fore-part stuck fast, and remained immoveable, but the hinder part was dashed in pieces by the violence of the waves. 42And the counsel of the soldiers was to kill the prisoners, least any of them should swim out and escape. 43But the centurion, desirous to save Paul, hindered them from their purpose, and ordered those that could swim to throw themselves out first, and get off to land: 44and the rest, some on planks, and others on some other things out of the ship. And so it came to pass that they all got safe to land.