Acts 28:1-10

New Matthew Bible

The viper does not hurt Paul’s hand. He heals Publius’ father, and preaches Christ at Rome.

28 And when they had escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta. ² And the people of the island showed us no little kindness, for they kindled a fire, and took us in every one, because of the falling rain and because of the cold.

³ And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them into the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, which leapt upon his hand. ⁴ When the islanders saw the venomous snake hanging on his hand, they said among themselves, This man must be a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffers not to live. ⁵ But he shook the snake off into the fire and felt no ill effect. ⁶ However, they waited for him to swell up or fall down dead suddenly. But after they had waited a great while and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

⁷ In the same region, the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius, had a lordship. He received us and kindly lodged us for three days. ⁸ And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of dysentery. Paul entered in to him and prayed, and laid his hands on him and healed him. ⁹ When this was done, others also who had diseases in the isle came and were healed. ¹⁰ And they honoured us greatly; and when we departed, they brought on board such things as were necessary.