they made
toward the beach. (41)And falling into a place where two seas met,
they ran the ship aground; and the prow sticking fast remained
immovable, but the stern was broken by the violence of the waves.
(42)And it was the plan of the soldiers, that they should kill the
prisoners, lest any one should swim out, and escape. (43)But the
centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and
commanded that those who could swim should cast themselves first into
the sea and get to land, (44)and the rest, some on boards, and others
on some of the pieces from the ship. And so it came to pass, that all
escaped safe to land.

XXVIII.

AND having escaped, they then learned that the island is called
Melita. (2)And the barbarians showed us no little kindness; for they
kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and
because of the cold.

(3)And Paul having gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the
fire, there came out a viper from the heat, and fastened on his hand.
(4)And when the barbarians saw the animal hanging from his hand, they
said among themselves: No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though
escaped from the sea, justice suffered not to live. (5)He, however,
shaking off the animal into the fire, suffered no harm. (6)But they
were expecting that he would become inflamed, or suddenly fall down
dead; but after looking a great while, and seeing no harm befall him,
they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

(7)In the region around that place, there were lands of the chief man
of the island, whose name was Publius, who received and entertained us
kindly three days. (8)Now it happened, that the father of Publius was
lying sick with a fever and a bloody flux; to whom Paul entered in,
and having prayed, laid his hands on him and healed him. (9)And this
having been done, the others also, who had diseases in the island,
came and were healed; (10)who also honored us with many honors; and
when we put to sea, they loaded us with such things as were necessary.

(11)And after three months, we put to sea in a ship of Alexandria,
which had wintered in the island, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
(12)And landing at Syracuse, we remained three days. (13)And from
thence, making a circuit[28:13], we came to Rhegium. And after one
day, a south wind arose, and we came on the second day to Puteoli;
(14)where we found brethren, and were entreated to remain with them
seven days; an