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On the Island of Malta

28 And when (A)they had been brought safely through to shore, (B)then we learned that (C)the island was called [a]Malta. (D)And the [b]natives showed us extraordinary affection; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and (E)received us all. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out [c]because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. And when (F)the [d]natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “(G)Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, [e]Justice has not allowed him to live.” However (H)he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. But they were waiting for him to soon swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, changing their minds, they (I)began to say that he was a god.

Now in the areas around that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. And it happened that the father of Publius was lying afflicted with fever and dysentery; and Paul, going to see him and having (J)prayed, (K)laid his hands on him and healed him. And after this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being healed. 10 They also bestowed on us many honors of respect; and when we were setting sail, they [f]supplied us with [g]all we needed.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 28:1 Or Melita
  2. Acts 28:2 Lit barbarians
  3. Acts 28:3 Or from the heat
  4. Acts 28:4 Lit barbarians
  5. Acts 28:4 The personification of a goddess
  6. Acts 28:10 Or put on board
  7. Acts 28:10 Lit the things pertaining to the needs

On the Island of Malta

28 After reaching land safely, we learned that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. Because it was rainy and cold, they built a fire and welcomed all of us. Paul gathered a bunch of dry sticks and put them on the fire. As he did, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, latched on to his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer! He was rescued from the sea, but the goddess Justice hasn’t let him live!” Paul shook the snake into the fire and suffered no harm. They expected him to swell up with fever or suddenly drop dead. After waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to claim that he was a god.

Publius, the island’s most prominent person, owned a large estate in that area. He welcomed us warmly into his home as his guests for three days. Publius’ father was bedridden, sick with a fever and dysentery. Paul went to see him and prayed. He placed his hand on him and healed him. Once this happened, the rest of the sick on the island came to him and were healed. 10 They honored us in many ways. When we were getting ready to sail again, they supplied us with what we needed.

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