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Acts 27-28
New American Standard Bible

Paul Is Sent to Rome

27 Now when it was decided that (A)we (B)would sail for (C)Italy, they proceeded to turn Paul and some other prisoners over to a centurion of the Augustan [a](D)cohort, named Julius. 2 And we boarded an Adramyttian ship that was about to sail to the regions along the coast of [b](E)Asia, and put out to sea accompanied by (F)Aristarchus, a (G)Macedonian of (H)Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at (I)Sidon; and Julius (J)treated Paul with consideration and (K)allowed him to go to his friends and receive care. 4 From there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter of (L)Cyprus, because (M)the winds were contrary. 5 When we had sailed through the sea along the coast of (N)Cilicia and (O)Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an (P)Alexandrian ship sailing for (Q)Italy, and he put us aboard it. 7 When we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, (R)since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of (S)Crete, off Salmone; 8 and with difficulty (T)sailing past it, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.

9 When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even (U)the [c]fast was already over, Paul started admonishing them, 10 saying to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with (V)damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion was more persuaded by the (W)pilot and the [d]captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul. 12 The harbor was not suitable for wintering, so the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of (X)Crete facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.

13 [e]When a moderate south wind came up, thinking that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began (Y)sailing along (Z)Crete, closer to shore.

Shipwreck

14 But before very long a violent wind, called [f]Euraquilo, (AA)rushed down from [g]the land; 15 and when the ship was caught in it and could not head up into the wind, we gave up and let ourselves be driven by the wind. 16 Running under the shelter of a small island called Cauda, we were able to get the ship’s [h]boat under control only with difficulty. 17 After they had hoisted it up, they used [i]supporting cables in undergirding the ship; and fearing that they might (AB)run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the [j]sea anchor and let themselves be driven along in this way. 18 The next day as we were being violently tossed by the storm, [k]they began to (AC)jettison the cargo; 19 and on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was slowly abandoned.

21 [l]When many had lost their appetites, Paul then stood among them and said, “[m](AD)Men, you should have followed my advice and not have set sail from (AE)Crete, and thereby spared yourselves this (AF)damage and loss. 22 And yet now I urge you to (AG)keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night (AH)an angel of the God to whom I belong, (AI)whom I also serve, (AJ)came to me, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; (AK)you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has graciously granted you (AL)all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 Therefore, (AM)keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that [n]it will turn out exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must (AN)run aground on a certain (AO)island.”

27 But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to suspect that [o]they were approaching some land. 28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 Fearing that we might (AP)run aground somewhere on the [p]rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and [q]prayed for daybreak. 30 But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down (AQ)the ship’s boat into the sea, on the pretense that they were going to lay out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain on the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the (AR)ropes of the ship’s boat and let it fall away.

33 Until the day was about to dawn, Paul kept encouraging them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been constantly watching and going without eating, having taken in nothing. 34 Therefore, I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your survival, for (AS)not a hair from the head of any of you will perish.” 35 Having said this, he took bread and (AT)gave thanks to God in the presence of them all, and he broke it and began to eat. 36 All (AU)of them [r]were encouraged and they themselves also took food. 37 We were 276 [s](AV)people on the ship in all. 38 When they had eaten enough, they began lightening the ship by (AW)throwing the wheat out into the sea.

39 Now when day came, (AX)they [t]could not recognize the land; but they did notice a bay with a beach, and they resolved to run the ship onto it if they could. 40 And casting off (AY)the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders; and they hoisted the foresail to the wind and were heading for the beach. 41 But they struck a [u]reef where two seas met and ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck firmly and remained immovable, while the stern started to break up due to the force of the waves. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to (AZ)kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape; 43 but the centurion, (BA)wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from accomplishing their intention, and commanded that those who could swim were to [v]jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest were to follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that (BB)they all were brought safely to land.

Safe at Malta

28 When (BC)they had been brought safely through, (BD)then we found out that (BE)the island was called [w]Malta. 2 (BF)The [x]natives showed us extraordinary kindness, for they kindled a fire and (BG)took us all in because of the rain that had started and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out [y]because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When (BH)the [z]natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “(BI)Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, [aa]justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 However, [ab](BJ)Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 Now they were expecting that he was going to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and (BK)began to say that he was a god.

7 Now in the neighboring parts of that place were lands belonging to the [ac]leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us warmly for three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with a recurring fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after he (BL)prayed, he (BM)laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being cured. 10 They also showed us many honors, and when we were about to set sail, they [ad]supplied us with [ae]everything we needed.

Paul Arrives in Rome

11 After three months we set sail on (BN)an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had [af]the Twin Brothers for its figurehead. 12 After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind came up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 [ag]There we found some (BO)brothers and sisters, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and that is how we came to Rome. 15 And from there the (BP)brothers and sisters, when they heard about us, came as far as the [ah]Market of Appius and the [ai]Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16 When we entered Rome, Paul was (BQ)allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

17 After three days [aj]Paul called together those who were (BR)the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “(BS)Brothers, (BT)though I had done nothing against our people or (BU)the customs of our [ak]fathers, yet I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. 18 And when they had (BV)examined me, they (BW)were willing to release me because there were (BX)no grounds [al]for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews [am]objected, I was forced to (BY)appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I [an]requested to see you and to speak with you, since I am wearing (BZ)this chain for (CA)the sake of the hope of Israel.” 21 They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of (CB)the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what [ao]your views are; for regarding this (CC)sect, it is known to us that (CD)it is spoken against everywhere.”

23 When they had set a day for [ap]Paul, people came to him at (CE)his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly (CF)testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, (CG)from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 (CH)Some were being persuaded by the things said by Paul, but others would not believe. 25 And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul said one parting statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying,

‘(CI)Go to this people and say,
“[aq](CJ)You will keep on hearing, and will not understand;
And [ar]you will keep on seeing, and will not perceive;
27 (CK)For the hearts of this people have become [as]insensitive,
And with their ears they [at]hardly hear,
And they have closed their eyes;
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return,
And I would heal them.”’

28 Therefore, let it be known to you that (CL)this salvation of God has been sent (CM)to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”[au]

30 Now Paul stayed two full years [av]in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him, 31 [aw](CN)preaching the kingdom of God and teaching things about the Lord Jesus Christ (CO)with all openness, unhindered.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 27:1 Normally 600 men (the number varied)
  2. Acts 27:2 I.e., west coast province of Asia Minor
  3. Acts 27:9 I.e., Day of Atonement in September or October, which was a dangerous time of year for navigation
  4. Acts 27:11 Or owner
  5. Acts 27:13 Lit a south wind having gently blown
  6. Acts 27:14 I.e., a northeaster
  7. Acts 27:14 Lit it
  8. Acts 27:16 Or skiff: a small boat in tow for emergencies, transportation to and from shore, etc.
  9. Acts 27:17 Lit helps
  10. Acts 27:17 Lit implement, an object designed to stabilize a boat from the stern against the wind.
  11. Acts 27:18 Lit they were doing a throwing out
  12. Acts 27:21 Lit there being much lack of appetite
  13. Acts 27:21 Lit O men
  14. Acts 27:25 Lit it will be
  15. Acts 27:27 Lit some land was approaching them
  16. Acts 27:29 Lit rough places
  17. Acts 27:29 Or wished for
  18. Acts 27:36 Lit became cheerful
  19. Acts 27:37 Lit souls
  20. Acts 27:39 Lit were not recognizing
  21. Acts 27:41 Lit place
  22. Acts 27:43 Lit throw themselves
  23. Acts 28:1 Or Melita
  24. Acts 28:2 Gr barbaroi, referring to people who did not speak Greek
  25. Acts 28:3 Or from the heat
  26. Acts 28:4 See note v 2
  27. Acts 28:4 Or Justice; i.e., the personification of a goddess
  28. Acts 28:5 Lit he
  29. Acts 28:7 Prob. the Roman governor of the island
  30. Acts 28:10 Or put on board
  31. Acts 28:10 Lit the things pertaining to the needs
  32. Acts 28:11 Gr Dioscuri; i.e., Castor and Pollux, twin sons of Zeus
  33. Acts 28:14 Lit Where
  34. Acts 28:15 Lat Appii Forum, a station about 43 miles or 69.2 km from Rome
  35. Acts 28:15 Lat Tres Tabernae, a station about 33 miles or 53.1 km from Rome
  36. Acts 28:17 Lit he
  37. Acts 28:17 Or forefathers
  38. Acts 28:18 Lit of death in me
  39. Acts 28:19 Lit spoke against
  40. Acts 28:20 Or invited you to see me and speak with me
  41. Acts 28:22 Lit you think
  42. Acts 28:23 Lit him
  43. Acts 28:26 Lit with a hearing you will hear
  44. Acts 28:26 Lit seeing you will see
  45. Acts 28:27 Lit dull
  46. Acts 28:27 Or are hard of hearing
  47. Acts 28:28 Late mss add as v 29: When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.
  48. Acts 28:30 Or at his own expense
  49. Acts 28:31 Or proclaiming
Close NLT

Acts 27-28
New Living Translation

Paul Sails for Rome

27 When the time came, we set sail for Italy. Paul and several other prisoners were placed in the custody of a Roman officer[a] named Julius, a captain of the Imperial Regiment. 2 Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was also with us. We left on a ship whose home port was Adramyttium on the northwest coast of the province of Asia;[b] it was scheduled to make several stops at ports along the coast of the province.

3 The next day when we docked at Sidon, Julius was very kind to Paul and let him go ashore to visit with friends so they could provide for his needs. 4 Putting out to sea from there, we encountered strong headwinds that made it difficult to keep the ship on course, so we sailed north of Cyprus between the island and the mainland. 5 Keeping to the open sea, we passed along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, landing at Myra, in the province of Lycia. 6 There the commanding officer found an Egyptian ship from Alexandria that was bound for Italy, and he put us on board.

7 We had several days of slow sailing, and after great difficulty we finally neared Cnidus. But the wind was against us, so we sailed across to Crete and along the sheltered coast of the island, past the cape of Salmone. 8 We struggled along the coast with great difficulty and finally arrived at Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea. 9 We had lost a lot of time. The weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel because it was so late in the fall,[c] and Paul spoke to the ship’s officers about it.

10 “Men,” he said, “I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on—shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.” 11 But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul. 12 And since Fair Havens was an exposed harbor—a poor place to spend the winter—most of the crew wanted to go on to Phoenix, farther up the coast of Crete, and spend the winter there. Phoenix was a good harbor with only a southwest and northwest exposure.

The Storm at Sea

13 When a light wind began blowing from the south, the sailors thought they could make it. So they pulled up anchor and sailed close to the shore of Crete. 14 But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea. 15 The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale.

16 We sailed along the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda,[d] where with great difficulty we hoisted aboard the lifeboat being towed behind us. 17 Then the sailors bound ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it. They were afraid of being driven across to the sandbars of Syrtis off the African coast, so they lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship and were driven before the wind.

18 The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. 19 The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard. 20 The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.

21 No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. 22 But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”

The Shipwreck

27 About midnight on the fourteenth night of the storm, as we were being driven across the Sea of Adria,[e] the sailors sensed land was near. 28 They dropped a weighted line and found that the water was 120 feet deep. But a little later they measured again and found it was only 90 feet deep.[f] 29 At this rate they were afraid we would soon be driven against the rocks along the shore, so they threw out four anchors from the back of the ship and prayed for daylight.

30 Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. 31 But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.

33 Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. 34 “Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.” 35 Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. 36 Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat— 37 all 276 of us who were on board. 38 After eating, the crew lightened the ship further by throwing the cargo of wheat overboard.

39 When morning dawned, they didn’t recognize the coastline, but they saw a bay with a beach and wondered if they could get to shore by running the ship aground. 40 So they cut off the anchors and left them in the sea. Then they lowered the rudders, raised the foresail, and headed toward shore. 41 But they hit a shoal and ran the ship aground too soon. The bow of the ship stuck fast, while the stern was repeatedly smashed by the force of the waves and began to break apart.

42 The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they didn’t swim ashore and escape. 43 But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan. Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. 44 The others held on to planks or debris from the broken ship.[g] So everyone escaped safely to shore.

Paul on the Island of Malta

28 Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. 2 The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.

3 As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. 4 The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” 5 But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. 6 The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.

7 Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. 8 As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 9 Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. 10 As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.

Paul Arrives at Rome

11 It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island—an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods[h] as its figurehead. 12 Our first stop was Syracuse,[i] where we stayed three days. 13 From there we sailed across to Rhegium.[j] A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli. 14 There we found some believers,[k] who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

15 The brothers and sisters[l] in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum[m] on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns.[n] When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.

16 When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.

Paul Preaches at Rome under Guard

17 Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. 18 The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. 19 But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. 20 I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”

21 They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. 22 But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.”

23 So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. 24 Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe. 25 And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,

26 ‘Go and say to this people:
When you hear what I say,
    you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
    you will not comprehend.
27 For the hearts of these people are hardened,
    and their ears cannot hear,
    and they have closed their eyes—
so their eyes cannot see,
    and their ears cannot hear,
    and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
    and let me heal them.’[o]

28 So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”[p]

30 For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense.[q] He welcomed all who visited him, 31 boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.

Footnotes

  1. 27:1 Greek centurion; similarly in 27:6, 11, 31, 43.
  2. 27:2 Asia was a Roman province in what is now western Turkey.
  3. 27:9 Greek because the fast was now already gone by. This fast was associated with the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), which occurred in late September or early October.
  4. 27:16 Some manuscripts read Clauda.
  5. 27:27 The Sea of Adria includes the central portion of the Mediterranean.
  6. 27:28 Greek 20 fathoms . . . 15 fathoms [37 meters . . . 27 meters].
  7. 27:44 Or or were helped by members of the ship’s crew.
  8. 28:11 The twin gods were the Roman gods Castor and Pollux.
  9. 28:12 Syracuse was on the island of Sicily.
  10. 28:13 Rhegium was on the southern tip of Italy.
  11. 28:14 Greek brothers.
  12. 28:15a Greek brothers.
  13. 28:15b The Forum was about 43 miles (70 kilometers) from Rome.
  14. 28:15c The Three Taverns was about 35 miles (57 kilometers) from Rome.
  15. 28:26-27 Isa 6:9-10 (Greek version).
  16. 28:28 Some manuscripts add verse 29, And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, greatly disagreeing with each other.
  17. 28:30 Or in his own rented quarters.
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