Acts 28:3-5
New International Version
3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand,(A) they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”(B) 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.(C)
Acts 28:3-5
Evangelical Heritage Version
3 As Paul gathered a bundle of sticks and laid it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the natives saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he escaped from the sea, Justice[a] has not allowed him to live.”
5 However, Paul shook the snake off into the fire and was not harmed.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 28:4 Or justice. They likely meant a Greek goddess called Justice.
Acts 28:3-5
English Standard Version
3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When (A)the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, (B)“No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, (C)Justice[a] has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, (D)shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 28:4 Or justice
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

