保羅前往羅馬

27 他們決定讓我們坐船去義大利,於是將保羅和其他囚犯都交給一位皇家兵團的百夫長猶流看管。 有一艘亞大米田的船準備沿著亞細亞海岸航行。我們上船啟航,同船的還有帖撒羅尼迦的馬其頓人亞里達古。 第二天,船停泊在西頓港,猶流寬待保羅,准他探望當地的朋友,接受他們的照應。

我們從那裡啟航後,由於遇到逆風,便沿著塞浦路斯的背風岸前行, 經過基利迦和旁非利亞附近的海域,來到呂家的每拉。 百夫長在那裡找到一艘從亞歷山大駛往義大利的船,吩咐我們換搭那艘船。

一連多日船速十分緩慢,好不容易才駛近革尼土。因為強風船無法前行,只好沿著克里特背風岸航行,經過撒摩尼角。 船沿著海岸行進,幾經艱難才到達拉西亞城附近的佳澳。

我們耽誤了不少日子,禁食的節期[a]已過,航行很危險,保羅勸告眾人說: 10 「各位,照我看來,如果我們繼續航行,不只會損失貨物和船隻,甚至連我們的性命也難保。」 11 但那百夫長只相信船主和舵手的話,不接受保羅的勸告。 12 由於佳澳港不適宜過冬,大部分人贊成啟航,以為或許可以趕到菲尼基過冬。菲尼基是克里特的一個港口,一面向西南,一面向西北。

驚濤駭浪

13 那時,南風徐徐吹來,他們以為可以按計劃繼續航行,於是起錨沿著克里特行進。 14 可是出發不久,便遇到從島上颳來的猛烈的東北風[b] 15 船被颳得失去控制,我們只好任船隨風漂流。 16 船沿著一個叫高達的小島的背風面前進,大家好不容易才控制住救生船。 17 水手把救生船拉上甲板後,又用繩索加固船身。因為怕船會在賽耳底擱淺,於是收起船帆,任船漂流。 18 第二天,風浪依然猛烈,他們開始把貨物拋進海裡。 19 第三天,他們又親手把船上的用具也拋掉了。 20 一連好幾天都看不到太陽、星辰,風浪肆虐,我們完全放棄了得救的指望。

保羅安慰眾人

21 這時大家已經多日沒有進食,保羅站在他們當中說:「各位當初如果肯聽我勸,不離開克里特,就不會遭受這些損失了。 22 現在我勸大家放心,你們無人會喪命,只是這艘船保不住了。 23 因為昨天晚上,我所歸屬、所事奉的上帝差遣天使站在我身旁, 24 對我說,『保羅,不用怕,你一定會站在凱撒面前,上帝也會保全所有和你同船的人。』 25 所以請各位放心,我深信上帝所說的話必然會成就。 26 只是我們一定會在某個島上擱淺。」

27 第十四天的晚上,我們在亞得里亞海漂來漂去。到了午夜時分,水手都覺得離陸地不遠了, 28 就探測水深,結果約三十六米深,再往前一點,只有二十七米左右。 29 他們怕會觸礁,就從船尾拋下四個錨,暫停前進,期待天亮。 30 水手們想要棄船逃生,假裝要從船頭拋錨,卻偷偷地把救生船放到海裡。 31 保羅對百夫長和士兵們說:「除非他們留下來,否則你們都活不了!」 32 士兵聽了,就砍斷繩索,讓救生船漂走。

33 到了黎明時分,保羅勸大家吃東西,說:「你們提心吊膽、不思飲食已經十四天了。 34 我勸你們吃點東西,好活下去,你們必定毫髮無損。」 35 保羅說完後拿起餅,當眾感謝上帝,然後掰開吃。 36 於是大家都振作起來,吃了些東西。 37 船上共有二百七十六人。 38 吃飽了以後,為了要減輕船的重量,他們把麥子拋進海裡。

安全登陸

39 天亮的時候,水手發現了一片不認識的陸地,看見一個有沙灘的海灣,便決定盡可能在那裡靠岸。 40 於是砍斷錨索,把錨丟在海裡,鬆開舵繩,升起前帆,順著風勢駛向那沙灘。 41 可是,遇到兩流交匯的水域,就在那裡擱了淺,船頭卡在那裡不能動彈,船尾被大浪撞裂了。

42 士兵們想把囚犯全殺掉,怕有人乘機游泳逃走。 43 但百夫長為了救保羅,不准他們輕舉妄動,下令會游泳的先跳到海裡游上岸。 44 其餘的人利用木板和船體的碎片游上岸。結果,全船的人都安全上岸了。

Footnotes

  1. 27·9 指猶太人的贖罪日,約在陽曆九月、十月間(參見利未記23·27)。
  2. 27·14 猛烈的東北風」希臘文是「友拉革羅颶風」。

Paul’s voyage to Rome

27 When it was determined that we were to sail to Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were placed in the custody of a centurion named Julius of the Imperial Company.[a] We boarded a ship from Adramyttium that was about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia. So we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, came with us. The next day we landed in Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly and permitted him to go to some friends so they could take care of him. From there we sailed off. We passed Cyprus, using the island to shelter us from the headwinds. We sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, and landed in Myra in Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship headed for Italy and put us on board. After many days of slow and difficult sailing, we arrived off the coast of Cnidus. The wind wouldn’t allow us to go farther, so we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. We sailed along the coast only with difficulty until we came to a place called Good Harbors,[b] near the city of Lasea.

Much time had been lost, and the voyage was now dangerous since the Day of Reconciliation had already passed. Paul warned them, 10 “Men, I see that our voyage will suffer damage and great loss, not only for the cargo and ship but also for our lives.” 11 But the centurion was persuaded more by the ship’s pilot and captain than by Paul’s advice. 12 Since the harbor was unsuitable for spending the winter, the majority supported a plan to put out to sea from there. They thought they might reach Phoenix in Crete and spend the winter in its harbor, which faced southwest and northwest.

13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they could carry out their plan. They pulled up anchor and sailed closely along the coast of Crete. 14 Before long, a hurricane-strength wind known as a northeaster swept down from Crete. 15 The ship was caught in the storm and couldn’t be turned into the wind. So we gave in to it, and it carried us along. 16 After sailing under the shelter of an island called Cauda, we were able to control the lifeboat only with difficulty. 17 They brought the lifeboat aboard, then began to wrap the ship with cables to hold it together. Fearing they might run aground on the sandbars of the Gulf of Syrtis, they lowered the anchor and let the ship be carried along. 18 We were so battered by the violent storm that the next day the men began throwing cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they picked up the ship’s gear and hurled it into the sea. 20 When neither the sun nor the moon appeared for many days and the raging storm continued to pound us, all hope of our being saved from this peril faded.

21 For a long time no one had eaten. Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have complied with my instructions not to sail from Crete. Then we would have avoided this damage and loss. 22 Now I urge you to be encouraged. Not one of your lives will be lost, though we will lose the ship. 23 Last night an angel from the God to whom I belong and whom I worship stood beside me. 24 The angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul! You must stand before Caesar! Indeed, God has also graciously given you everyone sailing with you.’ 25 Be encouraged, men! I have faith in God that it will be exactly as he told me. 26 However, we must run aground on some island.”

27 On the fourteenth night, we were being carried across the Adriatic Sea. Around midnight the sailors began to suspect that land was near. 28 They dropped a weighted line to take soundings and found the water to be about one hundred twenty feet deep. After proceeding a little farther, we took soundings again and found the water to be about ninety feet deep. 29 Afraid that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they hurled out four anchors from the stern and began to pray for daylight. 30 The sailors tried to abandon the ship by lowering the lifeboat into the sea, pretending they were going to lower anchors from the bow. 31 Paul said to the centurion and his soldiers, “Unless they stay in the ship, you can’t be saved from peril.” 32 The soldiers then cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.

33 Just before daybreak, Paul urged everyone to eat. He said, “This is the fourteenth day you’ve lived in suspense, and you’ve not had even a bite to eat. 34 I urge you to take some food. Your health depends on it. None of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said these things, he took bread, gave thanks to God in front of them all, then broke it and began to eat. 36 Everyone was encouraged and took some food. (37 In all, there were two hundred seventy-six of us on the ship.) 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

39 In the morning light they saw a bay with a sandy beach. They didn’t know what land it was, but they thought they might possibly be able to run the ship aground. 40 They cut the anchors loose and left them in the sea. At the same time, they untied the ropes that ran back to the rudders. They raised the foresail to catch the wind and made for the beach. 41 But they struck a sandbar and the ship ran aground. The bow was stuck and wouldn’t move, and the stern was broken into pieces by the force of the waves. 42 The soldiers decided to kill the prisoners to keep them from swimming to shore and escaping. 43 However, the centurion wanted to save Paul, so he stopped them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and head for land. 44 He ordered the rest to grab hold of planks or debris from the ship. In this way, everyone reached land safely.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 27:1 Or cohort (approximately six hundred soldiers)
  2. Acts 27:8 Or Fair Havens

27 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.

And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;

And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.

13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.