Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options
Close MEV

Acts 27
Modern English Version

Paul Sails for Rome

27 When it was decided that we should sail into Italy, they handed Paul and some other prisoners over to a centurion of the Augustan Regiment, named Julius. 2 Boarding a ship from Adramyttium, we put out to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us.

3 The next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be given care. 4 From there we put out to sea and sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5 Sailing across the sea off of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy, and he put us on board. 7 We sailed slowly for many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to proceed, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 Sailing past it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

9 As much time had been lost and as the voyage was now dangerous, because the Day of Atonement was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion was persuaded more by the captain and the owner of the ship than by what Paul said. 12 Since the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority decided to sail on from there, if somehow we might reach Phoenix, a harbor in Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and winter there.

The Storm at Sea

13 When a south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained the necessary conditions, they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 But soon afterward a tempestuous wind swept through, called the Euroclydon.[a] 15 When the ship was overpowered and could not head into the wind, we let her drift. 16 Drifting under the lee of an island called Cauda, we could scarcely secure the rowboat. 17 When they had hoisted it aboard, they used ropes to undergird the ship. And fearing that they might run aground on the sand of Syrtis, they let down the mast, and so were driven. 18 We were violently tossed by the storm. The next day they threw cargo overboard. 19 On the third day we threw the tackle of the ship overboard with our own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was upon us, all hope that we should be saved was lost.

21 After they had long abstained from food, Paul stood in their midst and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete, incurring this injury and loss. 22 But now I advise you to take courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. And, look! God has given you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore, men, take courage, for I believe God that it will be exactly as it was told to me. 26 Nevertheless, we must be shipwrecked on a certain island.”

27 When the fourteenth night came, while we were drifting in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors supposed that they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found the water to be one hundred and twenty feet deep.[b] When they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be ninety feet deep.[c] 29 Fearing that we might run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 When the sailors strove to abandon ship and lowered the rowboat into the sea, under the pretext of lowering anchors out of the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these sailors remain in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the rowboat and let her fall off.

33 As day was about to dawn, Paul asked them all to eat, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have waited and continued without food, having eaten nothing. 34 So I urge you to eat. This is for your preservation, for not a hair shall fall from your head.” 35 When he had said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all. And when he had broken it he began to eat. 36 Then they were all encouraged, and they also ate food themselves. 37 In all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. 38 When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw the wheat into the sea.

The Shipwreck

39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land. But they noticed a bay with a shore, into which they were determined to run the ship if possible. 40 Casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while loosening the ropes that secured the rudders. Then they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking a sandbar where two seas met, they ran the ship aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern was broken up by the violent surf.

42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, prevented them from their intent and ordered those who could swim to abandon ship first and get to land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And in this way they all escaped safely to land.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 27:14 Or Northeaster.
  2. Acts 27:28 Gk. 20 orguias, about 37 meters.
  3. Acts 27:28 Gk. 15 orguias, about 27 meters.
Listen to Acts 27
Close LEB

Acts 27
Lexham English Bible

Paul and His Associates Sail for Rome

27 And when it was decided that we would sail away to Italy, they handed over Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named[a] Julius of the Augustan[b] Cohort. 2 And we went aboard a ship from Adramyttium that was about to sail to the places along the coast[c] of Asia[d] and[e] put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us. 3 And on the next day, we put in at Sidon. And Julius, treating Paul kindly, allowed him[f] to go to his[g] friends to be cared for.[h] 4 And from there we put out to sea and[i] sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.[j] 5 And after we[k] had sailed across the open sea along Cilicia and Pamphylia, we put in at Myra in Lycia. 6 And there the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and[l] put us on board[m] it. 7 And sailing slowly, in many days and with difficulty we came[n] to Cnidus. Because[o] the wind did not permit us to go further, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 And sailing along its coast with difficulty, we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near which was the town of Lasea.

9 And because[p] considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast[q] was already over, Paul strongly recommended, 10 saying to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage is going to end[r] with disaster and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives!” 11 But the centurion was convinced even more by the shipmaster and the shipowner than by what was said by Paul. 12 And because[s] the harbor was unsuitable for spending the winter in, the majority decided on a plan to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could arrive at Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing toward the southwest and toward the northwest, to spend the winter there.[t]

A Violent Storm at Sea

13 And when[u] a southwest wind began to blow gently, because they[v] thought they could accomplish their purpose, they weighed anchor and[w] sailed close along Crete. 14 But not long afterward a wind like a hurricane, called the northeaster,[x] rushed down from it.[y] 15 And when[z] the ship was caught and was not able to head into the wind, we gave way and[aa] were driven along. 16 And running under the lee of a certain small island called Cauda, we were able with difficulty to get the ship’s boat under control. 17 After[ab] hoisting it up,[ac] they made use of supports to undergird the ship. And because they[ad] were afraid lest they run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and[ae] thus were driven along. 18 And because[af] we were violently battered by the storm, on the next day they began[ag] jettisoning the cargo,[ah] 19 and on the third day they threw overboard the gear of the ship with their own hands. 20 But when[ai] neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and with not a little bad weather confronting us,[aj] finally all hope was abandoned that we would be saved.

21 And because[ak] many were experiencing lack of appetite, at that time Paul stood up in their midst and[al] said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice not to put out to sea from Crete, and thus avoided this damage and loss! 22 And now I urge you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life from among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve came to me, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul! It is necessary for you to stand before Caesar, and behold, God has graciously granted you all who are sailing with you.’ 25 Therefore keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will be like this—according to the[am] way it was told to me. 26 But it is necessary that we run aground on some island.”

27 And when the fourteenth night had come, as[an] we were being driven in the Adriatic Sea about the middle of the night, the sailors suspected they were approaching some land.[ao] 28 And taking soundings, they found twenty fathoms. So going on a little further and taking soundings again, they found fifteen fathoms. 29 And because they[ap] were afraid lest somewhere we run aground against rough places, they threw down four anchors from the stern and[aq] prayed for day to come. 30 And when[ar] the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship and were lowering the ship’s boat into the sea, pretending as if they were going to lay out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain with the ship, you cannot be saved!” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it fall away.[as]

33 And until the day was about to come, Paul was urging them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited anxiously, and[at] you have continued without eating, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food, for this is necessary for your preservation. For not a hair from your head will be lost.” 35 And after he[au] said these things and took bread, he gave thanks to God in front of them all, and after[av] breaking it,[aw] he began to eat. 36 So they all were[ax] encouraged and partook of food themselves. 37 (Now we were in all two hundred seventy six persons on the ship.) 38 And when they[ay] had eaten their fill of food, they lightened the ship by[az] throwing the wheat[ba] into the sea.

The Shipwreck

39 Now when day came, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a certain bay having a beach, onto which they decided to run the ship ashore if they could. 40 And slipping the anchors, they left them[bb] in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes[bc] of the steering oars. And hoisting the foresail to the wind that was blowing, they held course for the beach. 41 But falling into a place of crosscurrents,[bd] they ran the ship aground. And the bow stuck fast and[be] stayed immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence.[bf] 42 Now the plan of the soldiers was that they would kill the prisoners lest any escape by[bg] swimming away, 43 but the centurion, because he[bh] wanted to save Paul, prevented them from doing what they intended,[bi] and gave orders that those who were able to swim should jump in first to get to the land, 44 and then the rest, some of whom floated[bj] on planks and some of whom on anything that was from the ship. And in this way all were brought safely to the land.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 27:1 Literally “by name”
  2. Acts 27:1 The meaning and significance of the title “Augustan” is highly debated, as is the precise identification of this military unit; it may be an honorary unit designation given to auxiliary or provincial troops
  3. Acts 27:2 The word “coast” is not in the Greek text but is implied
  4. Acts 27:2 A reference to the Roman province of Asia (modern Asia Minor)
  5. Acts 27:2 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went aboard”) has been translated as a finite verb
  6. Acts 27:3 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  7. Acts 27:3 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  8. Acts 27:3 Literally “to experience care”
  9. Acts 27:4 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“put out to sea”) has been translated as a finite verb
  10. Acts 27:4 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  11. Acts 27:5 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had sailed across”) which is understood as temporal
  12. Acts 27:6 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“found”) has been translated as a finite verb
  13. Acts 27:6 Literally “into”
  14. Acts 27:7 Here this participle (“came”) has been translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style
  15. Acts 27:7 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the causal genitive absolute participle (“permit … to go further”)
  16. Acts 27:9 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the causal genitive absolute participle (“had passed”)
  17. Acts 27:9 A reference to the Jewish Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) which occurs in mid-autumn
  18. Acts 27:10 Literally “to be”
  19. Acts 27:12 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the causal genitive absolute participle (“was”)
  20. Acts 27:12 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  21. Acts 27:13 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“began to blow gently”)
  22. Acts 27:13 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“thought”) which is understood as causal
  23. Acts 27:13 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“weighed anchor”) has been translated as a finite verb
  24. Acts 27:14 Literally “Euraquilo,” a violent northern wind
  25. Acts 27:14 That is, from the island of Crete
  26. Acts 27:15 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was caught”)
  27. Acts 27:15 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“gave way”) has been translated as a finite verb
  28. Acts 27:17 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“hoisting”) which is understood as temporal
  29. Acts 27:17 Literally “which”
  30. Acts 27:17 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“were afraid”) which is understood as causal
  31. Acts 27:17 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“lowered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  32. Acts 27:18 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the causal genitive absolute participle (“battered by the storm”)
  33. Acts 27:18 Literally “they began to carry out”
  34. Acts 27:18 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  35. Acts 27:20 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“appeared”)
  36. Acts 27:20 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  37. Acts 27:21 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the causal genitive absolute participle (“were experiencing”)
  38. Acts 27:21 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stood up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  39. Acts 27:25 Literally “which”
  40. Acts 27:27 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were being driven”)
  41. Acts 27:27 Literally “some land was approaching them”
  42. Acts 27:29 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“were afraid”) which is understood as causal
  43. Acts 27:29 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“threw down”) has been translated as a finite verb
  44. Acts 27:30 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were seeking”)
  45. Acts 27:32 Or “let it drift away”
  46. Acts 27:33 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“have waited”) has been translated as a finite verb
  47. Acts 27:35 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“said”) which is understood as temporal
  48. Acts 27:35 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“breaking”) which is understood as temporal
  49. Acts 27:35 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  50. Acts 27:36 Here this participle (“were”) has been translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style
  51. Acts 27:38 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had eaten their fill”) which is understood as temporal
  52. Acts 27:38 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“throwing”) which is understood as means
  53. Acts 27:38 Or “grain”
  54. Acts 27:40 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  55. Acts 27:40 Or “bands” (referring to the linkage that tied the steering oars together)
  56. Acts 27:41 Or “a reef”; literally “a place of two seas,” an expression of uncertain meaning but most likely a nautical technical term for some adverse sea condition
  57. Acts 27:41 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stuck fast”) has been translated as a finite verb
  58. Acts 27:41 Some manuscripts have “the violence of the waves”
  59. Acts 27:42 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“swimming away”) which is understood as means
  60. Acts 27:43 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“wanted”) which is understood as causal
  61. Acts 27:43 Literally “of the intention”
  62. Acts 27:44 The word “floated” is not in the Greek text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity
Next
Acts 26
Acts 28
Next
dropdown
Modern English Version (MEV)

The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.

Lexham English Bible (LEB)

2012 by Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software