The Shipwreck

³⁹ In the morning they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach on which they planned to run the ship ashore, if they could.^{(A) 40} So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea. At the same time they loosened the ropes that tied the steering-oars; then hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.^{(B) 41} But striking a reef,^[a] they ran the ship aground; the bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the force of the waves.^{(C) 42} The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none might swim away and escape;^{(D) 43} but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land^{(E) 44} and the rest to follow, some on planks and others on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.^(F)