The Storm at Sea

(Jonah 1:4–10)

13 [When] a {gentle} south wind began to blow, they thought they had [their] opportunity. [So] they weighed [anchor] [and] sailed along, hugging {the coast} of Crete. 14 But [it was] not long [before] a cyclone called the Northeaster swept down across [the island]. 15 Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. [So] we gave way [and] let ourselves be driven along.

16 Passing to the lee of a small island called Cauda,[fn] we barely managed to secure the lifeboat. 17 After hoisting it up, [the crew] used ropes to undergird the ship. And fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor[fn] [and] were driven along.

18 We were tossed so violently [that] the next [day] [the men] began to jettison the cargo. 19 On the third [day], they threw the ship’s tackle {overboard} with [their] own hands. 20 [When] neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and [the great] storm continued to batter us, we abandoned all hope of being saved.

21 [After] [the men] had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them [and] said, “Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. Then [you would have averted] this disaster and loss. 22 [But] now I urge you to keep up your courage, because you will not experience [any] loss of life, but only of the ship. 23 For [just last] night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 [and] said, ‘{Do} not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you [the lives of] all who sail with you.’

25 So take courage, men, for I believe God that it will happen just as He told me. 26 However, we must run aground on some island.”