Acts 28:1-16

International Children’s Bible

Paul on the Island of Malta

28 When we were safe on land, we learned that the island was called Malta. ² It was raining and very cold. But the people who lived there were very good to us. They made us a fire and welcomed all of us. ³ Paul gathered a pile of sticks for the fire. He was putting them on the fire when a poisonous snake came out because of the heat and bit him on the hand. ⁴ The people living on the island saw the snake hanging from Paul’s hand. They said to each other, “This man must be a murderer! He did not die in the sea, but Justice^[a] does not want him to live.” ⁵ But Paul shook the snake off into the fire. He was not hurt. ⁶ The people thought that Paul would swell up or fall down dead. The people waited and watched him for a long time, but nothing bad happened to him. So they changed their minds about Paul. Now they said, “He is a god!”

⁷ There were some fields around there owned by a very important man on the island. His name was Publius. He welcomed us into his home and was very good to us. We stayed in his house for three days. ⁸ Publius’ father was very sick with a fever and dysentery.^[b] But Paul went to him and prayed. Then he put his hands on the man and healed him. ⁹ After this, all the other sick people on the island came to Paul, and he healed them, too. ^10-11 The people on the island gave us many honors. We stayed there three months. When we were ready to leave, they gave us the things we needed.

Paul Goes to Rome

We got on a ship from Alexandria. The ship had stayed on the island during the winter. On the front of the ship was the sign of the twin gods.^{[c] 12} We stopped at Syracuse for three days and then left. ¹³ From there we sailed to Rhegium. The next day a wind began to blow from the southwest, so we were able to leave. A day later we came to Puteoli. ¹⁴ We found some believers there, and they asked us to stay with them for a week. Finally, we came to Rome. ¹⁵ The believers in Rome heard that we were there. They came out as far as the Market of Appius^[d] and the Three Inns^[e] to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.

Paul in Rome

¹⁶ Then we arrived at Rome. There, Paul was allowed to live alone. But a soldier stayed with him to guard him.