28 And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island was called ^[a]Melita. ² And the barbarians showed us no common kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. ³ But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out ^[b]by reason of the heat, and fastened on his hand. ⁴ And when the barbarians saw the venomous creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped from the sea, yet Justice hath not suffered to live. ⁵ Howbeit he shook off the creature into the fire, and took no harm. ⁶ But they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but when they were long in expectation and beheld nothing amiss came to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

⁷ Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius; who received us, and entertained us three days courteously. ⁸ And it was so, that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laying his hands on him healed him. ⁹ And when this was done, the rest also that had diseases in the island came, and were cured: ¹⁰ who also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we needed.