Acts 27:13–26

STORM-TOSSED SHIP

¹³When a gentle south wind sprang up, they thought they had achieved their purpose. They weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. ¹⁴But before long, a fierce wind called the “northeaster” rushed down from the island. ¹⁵Since the ship was caught and unable to head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. ¹⁶After running under the shelter of a little island called Cauda,^D we were barely able to get control of the skiff. ¹⁷After hoisting it up, they used ropes and tackle and girded the ship. Fearing they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the drift-anchor, and in this way they were driven along. ¹⁸Because we were being severely battered by the storm, they began to jettison the cargo the next day.^{k 19}On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. ²⁰For many days neither sun nor stars appeared, and the severe storm kept raging. Finally all hope was fading that we would be saved.

²¹Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, “You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss. ²²Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship. ²³For last night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me^{l 24}and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. It is necessary for you to appear before Caesar. And indeed, God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’ ²⁵So take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me.^{m 26}But we have to run aground on some island.”ⁿ