37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six (A)persons on the ship. 38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.

Shipwrecked on Malta

39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. 40 And they [a]let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking [b]a place where two seas met, (B)they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.

42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was (C)that they all escaped safely to land.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 27:40 cast off
  2. Acts 27:41 A reef

37 (We were in all 276[a] (A)persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, (B)throwing out the wheat into the sea.

The Shipwreck

39 Now when it was day, (C)they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef,[b] (D)they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 (E)The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, (F)wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that (G)all were brought safely to land.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 27:37 Some manuscripts seventy-six, or about seventy-six
  2. Acts 27:41 Or sandbank, or crosscurrent; Greek place between two seas