Safe at Malta

28 After we were safe [on land], we found out that the island was called ^[a]Malta. ² And the ^[b]natives showed us extraordinary kindness and hospitality; for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, since it had begun to rain and was cold. ³ But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a ^[c]viper crawled out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. ⁴ When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, Justice [the avenging goddess] has not permitted him to live.” ⁵ Then Paul [simply] shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. ⁶ But they stood watching and expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began saying that he was a god.

⁷ In the vicinity of that place there were estates belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed and entertained us hospitably for three days. ⁸ And it happened that the father of Publius was sick [in bed] with recurring attacks of fever and dysentery; and Paul went to him, and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. ⁹ After this occurred, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being healed. ¹⁰ They also gave us many honors [gifts and courtesies expressing respect]; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all the things we needed.