Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

³⁹ When day came, they didn’t recognize the land. It appeared to have a bay with a sandy shore, and that was where they hoped, if possible, to beach the ship. ⁴⁰ They let the anchors drop away into the sea, and at the same time slackened the ropes on the rudders, hoisted the foresail, and headed for the beach. ⁴¹ But they crashed into a reef and ran the ship aground. The prow stuck fast and wouldn’t budge, while the strong waves were smashing the stern to bits. ⁴² The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so that none of them would swim away and escape. ⁴³ But the centurion wanted to rescue Paul, and refused permission for them to carry out their intention. Instead, he ordered all who were able to swim to leap overboard first and head for land, ⁴⁴ while the rest were to come after, some on boards and some on bits and pieces of the ship. And so everyone ended up safely on land.