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Acts 27
The Message
Acts 27
The Message
A Storm at Sea
27 1-2 As soon as arrangements were complete for our sailing to Italy, Paul and a few other prisoners were placed under the supervision of a centurion named Julius, a member of an elite guard. We boarded a ship from Adramyttium that was bound for Ephesus and ports west. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, went with us.
3 The next day we put in at Sidon. Julius treated Paul most decently—let him get off the ship and enjoy the hospitality of his friends there.
4-8 Out to sea again, we sailed north under the protection of the northeast shore of Cyprus because winds out of the west were against us, and then along the coast westward to the port of Myra. There the centurion found an Egyptian ship headed for Italy and transferred us on board. We ran into bad weather and found it impossible to stay on course. After much difficulty, we finally made it to the southern coast of the island of Crete and docked at Good Harbor (appropriate name!).
9-10 By this time we had lost a lot of time. We had passed the autumn equinox, so it would be stormy weather from now on through the winter, too dangerous for sailing. Paul warned, “I see only disaster ahead for cargo and ship—to say nothing of our lives!—if we put out to sea now.”
12,11 But it was not the best harbor for staying the winter. Phoenix, a few miles further on, was more suitable. The centurion set Paul’s warning aside and let the ship captain and the shipowner talk him into trying for the next harbor.
13-15 When a gentle southerly breeze came up, they weighed anchor, thinking it would be smooth sailing. But they were no sooner out to sea than a gale-force wind, the infamous nor’easter, struck. They lost all control of the ship. It was a cork in the storm.
16-17 We came under the lee of the small island named Clauda, and managed to get a lifeboat ready and reef the sails. But rocky shoals prevented us from getting close. We only managed to avoid them by throwing out drift anchors.
18-20 Next day, out on the high seas again and badly damaged now by the storm, we dumped the cargo overboard. The third day the sailors lightened the ship further by throwing off all the tackle and provisions. It had been many days since we had seen either sun or stars. Wind and waves were battering us unmercifully, and we lost all hope of rescue.
21-22 With our appetite for both food and life long gone, Paul took his place in our midst and said, “Friends, you really should have listened to me back in Crete. We could have avoided all this trouble and trial. But there’s no need to dwell on that now. From now on, things are looking up! I can assure you that there’ll not be a single drowning among us, although I can’t say as much for the ship—the ship itself is doomed.
23-26 “Last night God’s angel stood at my side, an angel of this God I serve, saying to me, ‘Don’t give up, Paul. You’re going to stand before Caesar yet—and everyone sailing with you is also going to make it.’ So, dear friends, take heart. I believe God will do exactly what he told me. But we’re going to shipwreck on some island or other.”
27-29 On the fourteenth night, adrift somewhere on the Adriatic Sea, at about midnight the sailors sensed that we were approaching land. Sounding, they measured a depth of 120 feet, and shortly after that ninety feet. Afraid that we were about to run aground, they threw out four anchors and prayed for daylight.
30-32 Some of the sailors tried to jump ship. They let down the lifeboat, pretending they were going to set out more anchors from the bow. Paul saw through their guise and told the centurion and his soldiers, “If these sailors don’t stay with the ship, we’re all going down.” So the soldiers cut the lines to the lifeboat and let it drift off.
33-34 With dawn about to break, Paul called everyone together and proposed breakfast: “This is the fourteenth day we’ve gone without food. None of us has felt like eating! But I urge you to eat something now. You’ll need strength for the rescue ahead. You’re going to come out of this without even a scratch!”
35-38 He broke the bread, gave thanks to God, passed it around, and they all ate heartily—276 of us, all told! With the meal finished and everyone full, the ship was further lightened by dumping the grain overboard.
39-41 At daybreak, no one recognized the land—but then they did notice a bay with a nice beach. They decided to try to run the ship up on the beach. They cut the anchors, loosed the tiller, raised the sail, and ran before the wind toward the beach. But we didn’t make it. Still far from shore, we hit a reef and the ship began to break up.
42-44 The soldiers decided to kill the prisoners so none could escape by swimming, but the centurion, determined to save Paul, stopped them. He gave orders for anyone who could swim to dive in and go for it, and for the rest to grab a plank. Everyone made it to shore safely.
* * *
Acts 27
New King James Version
Acts 27
New King James Version
The Voyage to Rome Begins
27 And when (A)it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. 2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. (B)Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. 3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius (C)treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care. 4 When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5 And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 There the centurion found (D)an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board.
7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of (E)Crete off Salmone. 8 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.
Paul’s Warning Ignored
9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous (F)because [a]the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.
In the Tempest
13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called [b]Euroclydon. 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her [c]drive. 16 And running under the shelter of an island called [d]Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the [e]Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day (G)we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.
21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take [f]heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 (H)For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and (I)whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, (J)for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, (K)we must run aground on a certain island.”
27 Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. 28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and [g]prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.
33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, (L)since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and (M)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 also took food themselves. 37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six (N)persons on the ship. 38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.
Shipwrecked on Malta
39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. 40 And they [h]let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking [i]a place where two seas met, (O)they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.
42 And 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, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was (P)that they all escaped safely to land.
Footnotes
- Acts 27:9 The Day of Atonement, late September or early October
- Acts 27:14 A southeast wind that stirs up broad waves; NU Euraquilon, a northeaster
- Acts 27:15 be driven
- Acts 27:16 NU Cauda
- Acts 27:17 M Syrtes
- Acts 27:22 courage
- Acts 27:29 Or wished
- Acts 27:40 cast off
- Acts 27:41 A reef
Hechos 27
Reina-Valera Antigua
Hechos 27
Reina-Valera Antigua
27 MAS como fué determinado que habíamos de navegar para Italia, entregaron á Pablo y algunos otros presos á un centurión, llamado Julio, de la compañía Augusta.
2 Así que, embarcándonos en una nave Adrumentina, partimos, estando con nosotros Aristarco, Macedonio de Tesalónica, para navegar junto á los lugares de Asia.
3 Y otro día llegamos á Sidón; y Julio, tratando á Pablo con humanidad, permitióle que fuese á los amigos, para ser de ellos asistido.
4 Y haciéndonos á la vela desde allí, navegamos bajo de Cipro, porque los vientos eran contrarios.
5 Y habiendo pasado la mar de Cilicia y Pamphylia, arribamos á Mira, ciudad de Licia.
6 Y hallando allí el centurión una nave Alejandrina que navegaba á Italia, nos puso en ella.
7 Y navegando muchos días despacio, y habiendo apenas llegado delante de Gnido, no dejándonos el viento, navegamos bajo de Creta, junto á Salmón.
8 Y costeándola difícilmente, llegamos á un lugar que llaman Buenos Puertos, cerca del cual estaba la ciudad de Lasea.
9 Y pasado mucho tiempo, y siendo ya peligrosa la navegación, porque ya era pasado el ayuno, Pablo amonestaba,
10 Diciéndoles: Varones, veo que con trabajo y mucho daño, no sólo de la cargazón y de la nave, mas aun de nuestras personas, habrá de ser la navegación.
11 Mas el centurión creía más al piloto y al patrón de la nave, que á lo que Pablo decía.
12 Y no habiendo puerto cómodo para invernar, muchos acordaron pasar aún de allí, por si pudiesen arribar á Fenice é invernar allí, que es un puerto de Creta que mira al Nordeste y Sudeste.
13 Y soplando el austro, pareciéndoles que ya tenían lo que deseaban, alzando velas, iban cerca de la costa de Creta.
14 Mas no mucho después dió en ella un viento repentino, que se llama Euroclidón.
15 Y siendo arrebatada la nave, y no pudiendo resistir contra el viento, la dejamos, y erámos llevados.
16 Y habiendo corrido á sotavento de una pequeña isla que se llama Clauda, apenas pudimos ganar el esquife:
17 El cual tomado, usaban de remedios, ciñendo la nave; y teniendo temor de que diesen en la Sirte, abajadas las velas, eran así llevados.
18 Mas siendo atormentados de una vehemente tempestad, al siguiente día alijaron;
19 Y al tercer día nosotros con nuestras manos arrojamos los aparejos de la nave.
20 Y no pareciendo sol ni estrellas por muchos días, y viniendo una tempestad no pequeña, ya era perdida toda la esperanza de nuestra salud.
21 Entonces Pablo, habiendo ya mucho que no comíamos, puesto en pie en medio de ellos, dijo: Fuera de cierto conveniente, oh varones, haberme oído, y no partir de Creta, y evitar este inconveniente y daño.
22 Mas ahora os amonesto que tengáis buen ánimo; porque ninguna pérdida habrá de persona de vosotros, sino solamente de la nave.
23 Porque esta noche ha estado conmigo el ángel del Dios del cual yo soy, y al cual sirvo,
24 Diciendo: Pablo, no temas; es menester que seas presentado delante de César; y he aquí, Dios te ha dado todos los que navegan contigo.
25 Por tanto, oh varones, tened buen ánimo; porque yo confío en Dios que será así como me ha dicho;
26 Si bien es menester que demos en una isla.
27 Y venida la décimacuarta noche, y siendo llevados por el mar Adriático, los marineros á la media noche sospecharon que estaban cerca de alguna tierra;
28 Y echando la sonda, hallaron veinte brazas, y pasando un poco más adelante, volviendo á echar la sonda, hallaron quince brazas.
29 Y habiendo temor de dar en lugares escabrosos, echando cuatro anclas de la popa, deseaban que se hiciese de día.
30 Entonces procurando los marineros huir de la nave, echado que hubieron el esquife á la mar, aparentando como que querían largar las anclas de proa,
31 Pablo dijo al centurión y á los soldados: Si éstos no quedan en la nave, vosotros no podéis salvaros.
32 Entonces los soldados cortaron los cabos del esquife, y dejáronlo perder.
33 Y como comenzó á ser de día, Pablo exhortaba á todos que comiesen, diciendo: Este es el décimocuarto día que esperáis y permanecéis ayunos, no comiendo nada.
34 Por tanto, os ruego que comáis por vuestra salud: que ni aun un cabello de la cabeza de ninguno de vosotros perecerá.
35 Y habiendo dicho esto, tomando el pan, hizo gracias á Dios en presencia de todos, y partiendo, comenzó á comer.
36 Entonces todos teniendo ya mejor ánimo, comieron ellos también.
37 Y éramos todas las personas en la nave doscientas setenta y seis.
38 Y satisfechos de comida, aliviaban la nave, echando el grano á la mar.
39 Y como se hizo de día, no conocían la tierra; mas veían un golfo que tenía orilla, al cual acordaron echar, si pudiesen, la nave.
40 Cortando pues las anclas, las dejaron en la mar, largando también las ataduras de los gobernalles; y alzada la vela mayor al viento, íbanse á la orilla.
41 Mas dando en un lugar de dos aguas, hicieron encallar la nave; y la proa, hincada, estaba sin moverse, y la popa se abría con la fuerza de la mar.
42 Entonces el acuerdo de los soldados era que matasen los presos, porque ninguno se fugase nadando.
43 Mas el centurión, queriendo salvar á Pablo, estorbó este acuerdo, y mandó que los que pudiesen nadar, se echasen los primeros, y saliesen á tierra;
44 Y los demás, parte en tablas, parte en cosas de la nave. Y así aconteció que todos se salvaron saliendo á tierra.
Acts 27
New International Version
Acts 27
New International Version
Paul Sails for Rome
27 When it was decided that we(A) would sail for Italy,(B) Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.(C) 2 We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia,(D) and we put out to sea. Aristarchus,(E) a Macedonian(F) from Thessalonica,(G) was with us.
3 The next day we landed at Sidon;(H) and Julius, in kindness to Paul,(I) allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs.(J) 4 From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us.(K) 5 When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia(L) and Pamphylia,(M) we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship(N) sailing for Italy(O) and put us on board. 7 We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course,(P) we sailed to the lee of Crete,(Q) opposite Salmone. 8 We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.
9 Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement.[a](R) So Paul warned them, 10 “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.”(S) 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. 12 Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete,(T) facing both southwest and northwest.
The Storm
13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force,(U) called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat(V) secure, 17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground(W) on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor[b] and let the ship be driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard.(X) 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
21 After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice(Y) not to sail from Crete;(Z) then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage,(AA) because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel(AB) of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve(AC) stood beside me(AD) 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar;(AE) and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’(AF) 25 So keep up your courage,(AG) men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.(AH) 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground(AI) on some island.”(AJ)
The Shipwreck
27 On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic[c] Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet[d] deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet[e] deep. 29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. 30 In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat(AK) down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.”(AL) 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.
33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.”(AM) 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it(AN) and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged(AO) and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.(AP)
39 When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach,(AQ) where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 40 Cutting loose the anchors,(AR) they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 41 But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.(AS)
42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life(AT) and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.(AU)
Footnotes
- Acts 27:9 That is, Yom Kippur
- Acts 27:17 Or the sails
- Acts 27:27 In ancient times the name referred to an area extending well south of Italy.
- Acts 27:28 Or about 37 meters
- Acts 27:28 Or about 27 meters
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
New King James Version (NKJV) 
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Reina-Valera Antigua (RVA)
New International Version (NIV) 
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