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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

Malta’s Hospitality

28 Once safely ashore, we(A) then learned that the island was called Malta.(B) The local people(C) showed us extraordinary kindness. They lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. When the local people saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man, no doubt, is a murderer. Even though he has escaped the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”(D) But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm.(E) They expected that he would begin to swell up or suddenly drop dead. After they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.(F)

Ministry in Malta

Now in the area around that place was an estate belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days. Publius’s father was in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, and praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him.(G) After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. 10 So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed.

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