Ashore on Malta

28 [Once] we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire [and] welcomed all of us because [it was] raining and cold.

3 Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid [them] on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened [itself] to his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. [Although he] was saved from the sea, Justice[fn] {has} not allowed [him] to live.” 5 But [Paul] shook the creature {off} into the fire [and] suffered no ill effects. 6 [The islanders] were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds [and] said he was a god.

7 Nearby stood an estate belonging to Publius, [the] chief official of the island. [He] welcomed us [and] entertained [us] hospitably [for] three days. 8 The father of Publius was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to [see] [him], and after praying [and] placing [his] hands on him, he healed [the man]. 9 [After] this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured as well.

10 [The islanders] honored us in many ways and supplied [our] needs [when we were ready] to sail.