Ashore on Malta
Once safely ashore, the company learns that the island is Malta and is welcomed with striking kindness in the cold and rain. When a viper fastens to Paul’s hand, the islanders first read it as judgment and then, after nothing happens to him, reverse themselves completely.
O1nce we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta. 2The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire and welcomed all of us because it was raining and cold. 3Paul 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. 4When 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 has not allowed him to live.” 5But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6The 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.
Nearby, Publius receives the travelers hospitably, and Paul heals his sick father through prayer and the laying on of hands. After that, the rest of the sick on the island also come and are cured, and when the company prepares to sail, the islanders honor them and supply what they need.
7Nearby stood an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8The 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. 9After this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured as well. 10The islanders honored us in many ways and supplied our needs when we were ready to sail.