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On the Island of Malta

28 And when (A)they had been brought safely through to shore, (B)then we learned that (C)the island was called [a]Malta. (D)And the [b]natives showed us extraordinary affection; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and (E)received us all. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out [c]because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. And when (F)the [d]natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “(G)Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, [e]Justice has not allowed him to live.” However (H)he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. But they were waiting for him to soon swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, changing their minds, they (I)began to say that he was a god.

Now in the areas around that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. And it happened that the father of Publius was lying afflicted with fever and dysentery; and Paul, going to see him and having (J)prayed, (K)laid his hands on him and healed him. And after this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being healed. 10 They also bestowed on us many honors of respect; and when we were setting sail, they [f]supplied us with [g]all we needed.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 28:1 Or Melita
  2. Acts 28:2 Lit barbarians
  3. Acts 28:3 Or from the heat
  4. Acts 28:4 Lit barbarians
  5. Acts 28:4 The personification of a goddess
  6. Acts 28:10 Or put on board
  7. Acts 28:10 Lit the things pertaining to the needs

Paul Ashore on Malta

28 Once safely on shore, we(A) found out that the island(B) was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand,(C) they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”(D) But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.(E) The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.(F)

There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer,(G) placed his hands on him(H) and healed him.(I) When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us(J) in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

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