Acts 28:1-9 ▼

1 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 (humble) 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 {Dike} 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 {theon}.

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 {patera} of Publius was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul (humble) 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.