28 After we were safe on the island, we knew and recognized that it was called Malta.

² And the natives showed us unusual and remarkable kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed and received us all, since it had begun to rain and was cold.

³ Now Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and he was laying them on the fire when a viper crawled out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.

⁴ When the natives saw the little animal hanging from his hand, they said to one another, Doubtless this man is a murderer, for though he has been saved from the sea, Justice [^[a]the goddess of avenging] has not permitted that he should live.

⁵ Then [Paul simply] shook off the small creature into the fire and suffered no evil effects.

⁶ However, they were waiting, expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead; but when they had watched him a long time and saw nothing fatal or harmful come to him, they changed their minds and kept saying over and over that he was a god.

⁷ In the vicinity of that place there were estates belonging to the head man of the island, named Publius, who accepted and welcomed and entertained us with hearty hospitality for three days.

⁸ And it happened that the father of Publius was sick in bed with recurring attacks of fever and dysentery; and Paul went to see him, and after praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him.

⁹ After this had occurred, the other people on the island who had diseases also kept coming and were cured.

¹⁰ They showed us every respect and presented many gifts to us, honoring us with many honors; and when we sailed, they provided and put on [board our ship] everything we needed.

Psalm 79

A Psalm of Asaph.

¹ O God, the nations have come into [the land of Your people] Your inheritance; Your sacred temple have they defiled; they have made Jerusalem heaps of ruins.

² The dead bodies of Your servants they have given as food to the birds of the heavens, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.

³ Their blood they have poured out like water round about Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them.

⁴ [Because of such humiliation] we have become a taunt and reproach to our neighbors, a mocking and derision to those who are round about us.

⁵ How long, O Lord? Will You be angry forever? Shall Your jealousy [which cannot endure a divided allegiance] burn like fire?

⁶ Pour out Your wrath on the Gentile nations who do not acknowledge You, and upon the kingdoms that do not call on Your name.^(A)

⁷ For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his dwelling and his pasture.

⁸ O do not [earnestly] remember against us the iniquities and guilt of our forefathers! Let Your compassion and tender mercy speedily come to meet us, for we are brought very low.

⁹ Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name! Deliver us, forgive us, and purge away our sins for Your name’s sake.

¹⁰ Why should the Gentile nations say, Where is their God? Let vengeance for the blood of Your servants which is poured out be known among the nations in our sight [not delaying until some future generation].

¹¹ Let the groaning and sighing of the prisoner come before You; according to the greatness of Your power and Your arm spare those who are appointed to die!

¹² And return into the bosom of our neighbors sevenfold the taunts with which they have taunted and scoffed at You, O Lord!

¹³ Then we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever; we will show forth and publish Your praise from generation to generation.

Psalm 80

To the Chief Musician; [set to the tune of] “Lilies, a Testimony.” A Psalm of Asaph.

¹ Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You Who lead Joseph like a flock; You Who sit enthroned upon the cherubim [of the ark of the covenant], shine forth

² Before ^[a]Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh! Stir up Your might, and come to save us!

³ Restore us again, O God; and cause Your face to shine [in pleasure and approval on us], and we shall be saved!

⁴ O Lord God of hosts, how long will You be angry with Your people’s prayers?

⁵ You have fed them with the bread of tears, and You have given them tears to drink in large measure.

⁶ You make us a strife and scorn to our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves.

⁷ Restore us again, O God of hosts; and cause Your face to shine [upon us with favor as of old], and we shall be saved!

⁸ You brought a vine [Israel] out of Egypt; You drove out the [heathen] nations and planted it [in Canaan].

⁹ You prepared room before it, and it took deep root and it filled the land.

¹⁰ The mountains were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs of it were like the great cedars [cedars of God].

¹¹ [Israel] sent out its boughs to the [Mediterranean] Sea and its branches to the [Euphrates] River.^(B)

¹² Why have You broken down its hedges and walls so that all who pass by pluck from its fruit?

¹³ The boar out of the wood wastes it and the wild beast of the field feeds on it.

¹⁴ Turn again, we beseech You, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven and see, visit, and have regard for this vine!

¹⁵ [Protect and maintain] the stock which Your right hand planted, and the branch (the son) that You have reared and made strong for Yourself.

¹⁶ They have burned it with fire, it is cut down; may they perish at the rebuke of Your countenance.

¹⁷ Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, upon the son of man whom You have made strong for Yourself.

¹⁸ Then will we not depart from You; revive us (give us life) and we will call upon Your name.

¹⁹ Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; cause Your face to shine [in pleasure, approval, and favor on us], and we shall be saved!