1 | After we had escaped, we then learned that the island was called Malta. |
2 | And the natives showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. |
3 | Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, when a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. |
4 | When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live." |
5 | He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. |
6 | They waited, expecting him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead; but when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. |
7 | Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. |
8 | It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery; and Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him. |
9 | And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. |
10 | They presented many gifts to us; and when we sailed, they put on board whatever we needed. |